
Grizzly bear locomotion
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Grizzly bears walk with plantigrade locomotion, meaning they walk with the podials and metatarsals (the soles of the feet) flat on the ground. Like humans, bears first strike the ground with their heels, and then roll forward and off of the balls of the feet and the toes. Mammals that walk with plantigrade locomotion include humans, bears, racoons, rabbits, skunks, rats, mice and hedgehogs.
The bottom of a bear's paws have always reminded me of a primate's hands and feet. This is the back paw of a first year cub. Look at the lines that criss cross your own human palm, or the soles of your feet, and see the similarities to the creases found on a bear's paw. Return to Learn More index page
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© 2008 Jessica Teel