Bears: Paws and Claws
Clip: Special | 1m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Do Bear footprints look like human footprints?
Bears have sharp claws and use them to gather food. They also have unique feet. Their pads have a characteristic called plantigrade. When they walk their toes, sole and heel all touch the ground. Why does this characteristic help bears survive?
Science Trek is a local public television program presented by IdahoPTV
Major Funding by the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation and the Idaho National Laboratory. Additional Funding by the Friends of Idaho Public Television and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.
Bears: Paws and Claws
Clip: Special | 1m 4sVideo has Closed Captions
Bears have sharp claws and use them to gather food. They also have unique feet. Their pads have a characteristic called plantigrade. When they walk their toes, sole and heel all touch the ground. Why does this characteristic help bears survive?
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Science Trek
Science Trek is a place where parents, kids, and educators can watch short, educational videos on a variety of science topics. Every Monday Science Trek releases a new video that introduces children to math, science, technology, engineering, and math (STEM) career potentials in a fun, informative way.[MUSIC] JOAN CARTAN-HANSEN, HOST: Bears walk flat on their feet like humans do.
It's a characteristic called plantigrade.
When you walk your toes, sole and heel all touch the ground.
That's why bear paw tracks are sometimes are confused with human footprints.
Their back paws also allow bears to balance better on their hind feet.
Bears have sharp claws.
Grizzlies have longer claws than black bears.
Grizzlies are better diggers while black bears use their claws to be better climbers Bears' feet are thick and padded.
That helps when walking over rough ground and gives them more traction when walking on wet surfaces.
Polar bears have more fur on their feet.
It helps keep them warmer in the snow.
Their claws also give them extra traction.
Grizzly bears have less fur on their pads with is better for grip when walking over rugged terrain.
And one more thing, bears have scent glands in their feet.
As they walk, they leave a scent trail.
Which marks their territory and warns other bears to walk the other away.
For more information about bears, check out the Science Trek website.
You'll find it at ScienceTrek.org
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Science Trek is a local public television program presented by IdahoPTV
Major Funding by the Laura Moore Cunningham Foundation and the Idaho National Laboratory. Additional Funding by the Friends of Idaho Public Television and the Corporation for Public Broadcasting.