How Many Toes Does a Bear Have?
A bear has five toes on each paw, front and back, for a total of 20 toes. A black bear’s front tracks measure approximately 5 inches by 5 inches. The rear paw tracks measure approximately 7 inches by 5 inches. Black bear toe imprints are far apart with clear, defined spaces between them. Grizzly bear toe imprints are close together and are usually touching one another.
Black bears are the smallest and most common American bears. Although the grizzly bear is state animal of California, the black bear is the only bear found in the wild in that state.
Black bears are generally nocturnal animals, but they are sometimes very active during the day. They have the ability to swim and climb trees and can sprint up to 30 miles per hour. Bears are omnivores, but they eat mostly nuts, fruits and insects. They also eat fish and small animals.
Grizzly bears are anywhere from blond to black in color. Males average about 500 pounds, and the females average around 350 pounds. However, their sizes vary greatly, making the grizzly a difficult bear to identify. Grizzly bears have very long, sharp claws that are usually seen in its tracks. They are often large and distinct enough to be seen from some distance away.
