A cloven hoof, cleft hoof, divided hoof or split hoof is a hoof split into two toes. ... Examples of mammals that possess this type of hoof are cattle, deer, pigs, antelopes, gazelles, goats and sheep. In folklore and popular culture, a cloven hoof has long been associated with the Devil.

Do cows have split hooves and chew the cud?

Bison are ruminants (animals which chew their cud) belonging to the cattle family. Like their close relatives, cows and sheep, they are cloven hoofed.

Why are cows hooves split?

For instance, some family lines, in any breed, have more tendency to crack. And, in certain herds, the cows that develop vertical cracks are often related. “Other factors associated with vertical cracks include vitamin and trace mineral deficiencies,” Shearer says. Dry, brittle feet may be prone to cracking.