Bear claws are long, curved and non-retractable.
Bear claws contain both biological and cultural significance. In the wild, bears use their claws to help accomplish many different goals like hunting, climbing trees, foraging for insects and even social interactions. Humans use them in ornamental clothing and jewelry, for both traditional and purely aesthetic purposes. Bear claws also possess symbolic significance and embody ideals such as power and bravery in certain cultures.
Identification
The basic elements of a bear claw include a bony claw core that provides internal skeletal support, and a keratinous claw sheath that is the visible outer layer of the claw. The color of bear claws can vary tremendously, ranging from dark-brown to pale-brown, and sometimes even white. Genuine claws can be identified by examining their underside and looking for an open channel that exposes the bone underneath. You can also confirm that a claw is authentic by looking for fine ridges and wrinkles on the surface of the claw that are growth rings in the keratin.
Survival Uses
Bears use their strong claws to tear open rotten logs and anthills and feed on the insects, larvae or eggs they find inside; black bears use similar techniques to claw open beehives and extract honey. The immense physical strength of bears turns their claws into lethal weapons that are effective for both hunting and self-defense. Bears often claw into the shoulder areas of their prey, leaving 1/2-inch claw marks and sometimes breaking the animal's neck from the power of the blow.
Behavioral Uses
Certain kinds of bears, like the black bear, use their claws to climb up trees. This leaves behind distinct slashes that can be observed most easily on smooth-barked trees like aspen or birch. While these types of slashes are merely a side effect from climbing, bears also intentionally mark trees to identify their territory and breeding status. They will rub and claw on trees that are generally along major trails, so that other bears will recognize their scent and claw marks.
Cultural Significance
Native Americans have a long history of using claws from bears and other animals for both decoration and medicine. They would often make necklaces with bear claws surrounded by beads, shells or feathers from eagles and hawks. Bear claws were seen as a symbol of power and bravery because of the many dangers that were associated with hunting and killing bears. The claws were sometimes used like badges, showing membership to certain societies.
Modern Jewelry
Many different types of modern jewelry are made with bear claws, including necklaces, pendants, bracelets, watchbands and earrings. As of 2010, the average price for a piece of bear claw jewelry can range from $20 to several hundred dollars, depending on the value of other materials in the piece and the number of claws used. Imitation bear claws can be made out of molded plastic or resin and are considerably cheaper to purchase, sometimes costing less than $5.
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