What CAT like feature allows black bears to climb trees...?

[Sourdough]

Why can Black Bears climb trees, and Grizzlies for the most part can not climb trees...? Why....? No it is not weight or size related.....

[Rick]

Again, the nails. ALTHOUGH....I watched a show two nights ago where a grizzly climbed 50 feet up a tree. Pretty amazing.

[Bibow]

Maybe grizzlies are afraid of falling. Actually, i think that the black bear's have adapted to climbing trees to search for food like beehives, bugs or bird eggs. also, the smaller black bears also have to deal with grizzlies and if grizzlies won't climb up after them than its a good place to hide.

[Schleprok]

Not sure on this one Hope, think it's something about the hind legs....

[Pal334]

Maybe they are lazy, hauling that big a** up a tree is hard work. Thats why I stopped climbing trees :)

[Sourdough]

Cat like feature

[crashdive123]

Is it retractable claws?

[mountain mama]

forepaws/claws

[Schleprok]

had to google this one...
black bears have short curved claws that allow them to climb trees
grizzly claws are straighter, they can climb when young but older ones climb using tree limbs like a ladder

[Sourdough]

Is it retractable claws? Correct, this the main reason......because the black bear retracts it's claws like a cat, it's claws stay sharp for climbing. The claws are shaped roughly the same, google is wrong. The Grizzlies claws hit the ground and rocks with every step, and are well rounded and even flat on the tips, the lack of sharp claws is the primary reason that grizzlies don't climb trees.

[Rick]

So, if you are ever being torn limb from torso by a grizzly just remember, "At least the claws are rounded."