Plantigrade (Noun)
Meaning
An animal that walks with the entire sole of the foot touching the ground as e.g. bears and human beings.
Classification
Nouns denoting animals.
Examples
- The grizzly bear is a plantigrade, using its entire foot to support its massive body as it lumbers through the forest.
- Humans are unique among primates in being obligate plantigrades, walking on the soles of their feet with each step.
- The giant panda is a plantigrade, its flat feet helping it to grip bamboo stalks as it climbs.
- In contrast to digitigrade animals like cats and dogs, plantigrades like bears and humans have a more upright posture.
- The plantigrade gait of the sloth allows it to move slowly and deliberately through the trees, its flat feet gripping the branches.