Bigfoot VS Bear

by Christine Bruun

Please note that these pictures were small and had to be enlarged, which created distortion.  I believe, however, that you can still visualize the basic differences.

There is much debate and skepticism about false identification of Bigfoot.  There are many that hold with the idea that Bigfoot sightings are nothing more than a bear that has been miss-identified by a person unfamiliar with wildlife.  Because of this I hope to debunk most of these so-called errors. 

Because of their size and build, it is difficult for bears to get any speed while walking.  If you have ever seen a circus bear walking for its trainer, the movement is awkward and slow.  It barely lifts its feet above the ground.  It uses more of a shuffling motion.  It does not run, walk quickly or walk without great effort.  It certainly does not swing its arms while it walks.  The front legs remain held up, but stiff as it tries to maneuver on its hind legs.      

Though large, the foot is short and round and the claws emerge from the top of the foot, unlike a cat whose claws are more toward the bottom of the foot.  There is a large padded area on what we would call the ball of the foot, under the claws.  The claws are carried above the ground level.  The bear paw looks nothing like a giant human foot as reported by those who have discovered these Bigfoot prints.

Note the bear's build.  They have short, stocky legs.  Their main trunk sits upon the legs with much of the trunk situated between the upper thighs, making it awkward to walk.  Notice the bear's stance.  Legs are wide apart for balance.  The knees and feet face outward as if in a ballet position.  The bear walks in this stance.  It cannot bring its legs together and facing frontward as a human does.  Therefore, movement is limited to a shuffling motion.       

 The arms come directly from the shoulder and bed at an elbow, but they are thick and do not move freely like a human arm. Their motion is limited like the legs. Their walking gait would cause the left arm, (from the shoulder), to move in tandem with the left leg, using the shoulder weight and muscle to move the whole left side of the body.  The legs cannot extend like a human's.  It will not pick up the leg and move it very far because it is too short for that kind of motion.  Also, note the neck and head. 

It is easy to see the snout and ears. 

Note the way the bears are holding their arms.  They do not extend the arms.  They do not freely swing the arms.

This rendering  shows an animal with a flat face, more simian than bear. The hair is longer and hangs from the body.  The arms and shoulders are large, however, the forearm from the elbow moves freely.  Though the body turns when the head turns, it walks like a human in that the leg extends and its gait is human-like.  It does not shuffle--it strides.  Bears are bulky and clumsy, while the Bigfoot is reported to be quite agile and fast on its feet, covering long distances in a very short time frame.  Also, bears do not hide behind trees and peer out at humans, watching them from a hidden position.  A bear is more likely to rise up on its legs instead of peering around a tree.  Note the gait visible in the photo from the Patterson film, used on a familiar book jacket.  Notice the flat face.  Note the long arms compared to the bear's short, stubby arms.  Notice how the creature holds its arms extended, not but at the chest as the bear does.  Notice the leg extensions.  No bear can do that! 

I would love to hear from others about their observations. Contact us at: editor@cactusventures.com.  Put "Bigfoot" in the subject box.

 If you have comments or questions, or if you would like to find out more, then

email us at Dragonfly Hill Mail Room