Taking life one paw at a time… Here they come again. Ever notice how Alaska’s brown bears walk? They’re not just casually lumbering about. There’s a method to the amble. Bears are plantigrade, meaning they place their entire foot, from heel to toes, on the ground with each step. Much like humans, except with considerably more mass and significantly less interest in footwear. Bear-foot it is! They also tend to walk a little pigeon-toed, with their toes turned inward, helping distribute their weight and maintain balance on slippery or steep terrain. Their walking rhythm is more of a pacing or ambling gait, with legs on the same side moving in sequence. NPS Video: A large brown bear slowly walks down road at katmainpp