(C) Gary Coulbourne [ Taken Near: 11-15-1997 ]

Although their gait appears to be slow and lumbering, bears can put on amazing bursts of speed at times. Most species of bears can sprint up to 35 miles per hour if they need to, more than twice as fast as a man can run. Their inward pointing feet are "pigeon toed" and tipped with strong claws. Like humans, but unlike cats and dogs, bears have paws which rest flat on the ground. Other animals, such as the common housecat, stand only on the toes of their feed.