A claw is a curved, pointed appendage, found at the end of a toe or finger in most mammals, birds, and some reptiles.

However, the word "claw" is also often used in reference to an invertebrate. Somewhat similar fine hooked structures are found in arthropods such as beetles and spiders, at the end of the leg or tarsus for gripping a surface as the creature walks. Crabs' and lobsters' pincers, or more formally, their "chelae", are sometimes called claws. A claw is made of hard protein called keratin. Claws are used to catch and hold prey in carnivorous mammals such as cats and dogs, but may also be used for such purposes as digging, climbing trees, etc., in those and other species. Similar appendages which are flat and do not come to a sharp point are called nails instead. Claws of animals like tigers, lions, and bears were used in making items such as ornaments, pendants, and brooches. Tigers' and lions' claws are expensive because it is illegal to trade the parts of such protected animals.

Birds
A talon is the claw of a bird of prey, its primary hunting tool. The talons are very important; without them, most birds of prey would not be able to catch their food. Some birds also use claws for defensive purposes. Cassowaries use claws on their inner toe (digit II) for defence, and has been known to seriously injure people. All birds however have claws, which are used as general holdfasts and protection for the tip of the digits. The hoatzin is unique among extant birds in having functional claws on the thumb and index finger (digit I and II) on the forelimbs as chicks, allowing them to climb trees until the adult plumage with flight feathers develop.[3] However, several birds have a claw- or nail-like structure hidden under the feathers at the end of the hand digits, notably ducks, geese and kiwis.[4]

Tetrapods
At just under a meter, the claws of Therizinosaurus are among the largest recorded

In tetrapods, claws are made of keratin and consist of two layers. The unguis is the harder external layer, which consists of keratin fibers arranged perpendicular to the direction of growth and in layers at an oblique angle. The subunguis is the softer, flaky underside layer whose grain is parallel to the direction of growth. The claw grows outward from the nail matrix at the base of the unguis and the subunguis grows thicker while travelling across the nail bed. The unguis grows outward faster than the subunguis to produce a curve and the thinner sides of the claw wear away faster than their thicker middle, producing a more or less sharp point. Tetrapods use their claws in many ways, commonly to grasp or kill prey, to dig and to climb and hang.

[edit] Amphibians
The only amphibians to bear claws are the African clawed frogs. Claws appear to have evolved separately in the amphibian and amniote line.[1]

Reptiles
Most reptiles have toes ending in stout claws. The claws form from the last scale on the toe.[2] Most reptiles have well-developed claws. In snakes, feet and claws are absent, but in Boa constrictor, remnants of highly reduced hind-limbs emerge with a single claw as "spurs" on each side of the anal opening. Reptilian claws are used as aids in climbing, and in holding down prey in carnivorous species.