Hoofed animals posses a horny covering of the end of the foot and walk on the tips of their toes, unlike humans, who walk on the entire foot. There are many animals with hooves including horses, cows, bison, elk, and deer.

Members of Artiodactyla, including sheep, ;ats, deer, cows and pigs, have an even-number of hooves on each foot, usually two; this is called a cloven hoof, or "parting of the hoof", which plays a role in determining kosher status or its lack, of the animal's flesh. Members of Perissodactyla, including horses, rhinoceroses and tapirs have an odd-number of hooves on each foot.