So, caught my first 3 legged canine today. The weird part to me was there was a pad that was on the bottom of the stump and it felt the same as the pad on the other good feet. So, was he born that way or do they grow a pad after they lose a foot? I assumed they would just grow a callous.

Sounds like a problem at birth if it has a pad.

Must have been born that way. Most critters in the wild won’t survive losing a limb. Infection will usually get them if blood loss doesn’t.

Had a coon like that a few years back, no toes but full pad... I assume it was self-help exiting a pocket set because my trap was pulled out of the way two days in a row and day 3 - I set for a back foot catch in deeper water

I totally disagree with this statement.
Losing a foot or limb will rarely even slow down a wild animal,let alone be a cause of death,lol.

I agree with Boco. I’ve seen and caught plenty of three legged critters. They were all getting on just fine. I have no idea, however, how many did not survive that type of injury.

Boco is correct. Loss of a limb or more will make an animal tougher, usually not kill it. My theory on foot loss is this. Young animals in hay fields when hay is being cut. Foot or feet sheared off clenly then they heal quick. Doesn't explain all trauma, but what are anyone else's thoughts?

I caught a coyote once that had 2 broken and healed legs on one side.

Lots of tripod yotes out this way also.

I get they are out there but people are missing the question. If this happens after birth and is an injury, can it grow a single soft pad just like on a regular paw. Or would it be more callused?

Could it be the injury left the pad, and it didn't grow back?

Its missing about 4" of the leg also, so not left over

The three legged critters I have caught usually had a hard gray callus on the end of the missing or shortened limb.

Well for gosh sakes don't stare at or draw attention to it, the little guy is probably real conscience about his condition.
Jim

They grow a pad on the stump, if they use it. I have caught quite a few through the years, that had one to two gone, and every one that made use of it, regrew a pad. Caught a yote that had both back feet an inch to inch and a half shorter, and both had pads. It was a for sure loss of back feet from traps. Caught some that had plainly been shot off that were three to four inches shorter that had a small pad on them. No doubt in my mind that they grow a pad if they need it!

I caught a red fox vixen with a tiny complete front leg once. she was an old gal that didnt have many teeth.

Picked up a smaller yote In Arizona way back that had a smaller leg gimped up with longer nails pretty sure it was shot in the shoulder at one time.

No Mammal regenerates a limb. Foot. Head etc.... Sci. Fi. Stuff

caught many 3 legged coyotes shown in one of my snaring vids ........my guess if theres a pad it was a foot trap mishap

I agree,especially in the cold as infection doesnt set in or maggots.