An adult polar bear has five toes on each front paw.
Polar bears are plantigrade mammals, meaning that they can place much of the sole of the foot on the ground while walking. Each paw has five toes equipped with strong claws. The broad paws spread the animal’s weight across sea ice and snow, helping reduce the chance of breaking through thin surfaces.
The paws also function as swimming and hunting tools. Small webs between the toes assist paddling, while rough pads and fur provide traction on ice. Polar bears can use their claws to gain purchase on slippery surfaces and to handle prey.
The five-toed structure is easy to confuse with the visible paw shape, because tracks may blur in soft snow and the claws may not leave equally clear marks. Polar bears are not seal-like pinnipeds; they are members of the bear family and retain the typical five-digit arrangement found in other bears.