| Issue date: June 18, 2000
In this article:
 Physical
appearance
Additional
links
The Bear Facts
 BACKGROUND:
Although there are no scientifically-gathered population numbers,
it's generally believed that 12,000 Florida black bears once roamed
throughout the state, from the panhandle to the peninsula, visiting
a variety of habitats such as dry, arid uplands, wetlands and river
corridors to find food and mate. Today, roughly 1,500 to 2,000 remain,
restricted to isolated fragments of habitat -- the result of a statewide
population explosion and rampant residential and highway development.
The five biggest bear habitats:
- Ocala National
Forest
- Big Cypress and the Everglades
- Osceola National Forest
- Appalachicola National Forest
- Eglin Air Force Base
Thankfully, Florida has slowly begun to take matters into its own
hands. First declaring the black bear "threatened" in 1974, the
state closed its remaining black bear hunting seasons six years
ago for two reasons: the number of remaining bears was unknown (a
problem that still exists today since they are difficult to track)
and a growing public outcry. Just last month, the Florida Fish and
Wildlife Conservation Commission brought together a variety of interest
groups including bee keepers; bear hunters; forestry associations;
several state and federal agencies like the Department of Transportation
and the National Park Service; the Nature Conservancy; and the Defenders
of Wildlife, to work together over the next two years to coordinate
and implement a comprehensive conservation strategy for the Florida
black bear.
While promising, it's up to individuals to look out for this threatened
creature in the mean time. To find out how you can help or to donate
money, contact:
Habitat for Bears Campaign c/o Defenders of Wildlife
1101 14 Street, NW, Suite 1400
Washington, DC 20005
202-682-9400, ext. 248
www.defenders.org
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission
P.O. Box 11010
Tallahassee, Florida, 32302.
850-487-3794
*designate checks to the Florida black bear conservation effort
PHYSICAL APPEARANCE
The Florida black bear (Urus americanus floridanus) is the smallest
of the American black bear subspecies: Females typically weigh 150-300
pounds; males, 250-450 pounds. It sports a shiny black coat and
sometimes a white patch on its chest. Other features: a light brown,
straight snout; a short tail that is hard to see due to its long
fur; and long, sharp claws and meat-eating teeth to help it climb
trees and eat a variety of food.
DID YOU KNOW?
The Florida black bear loves plant material, 80% of its diet is
vegetation.:
- Plant stems
- Herbs
- Blueberries
- Acorns
- Tupelo
- Saw palmetto
- Hearts of cabbage palm
It also eats insects such as termites and ants, and will occasionally
feast on armadillo, deer or hog. Biggest feeding time: late night
to early morning.
The Florida black bear is shy and secretive: It hides in dense
vegetation and is rarely seen in the wild. It lives a solo life,
except when seeking other bears when its time to mate.
The Florida black bear is a good swimmer: It uses the water to
keep cool in warm weather.
The Florida black bear can run as fast as 35 mph for short distances.
When sensing danger, a black bear will quickly climb a tree.
Mating season runs from May through July. Females give birth between
January and March, and typically have 2-4 cubs. Cubs are born helpless,
hairless and with their eyes closed. Weighing less than one pound
when born, they grow quickly by feeding on their mother's milk which
is 10 times richer than cow's milk. Black bear cubs stay with their
mother for almost two years, when she will then chase them away
so they can begin to live independently.
Florida black bears live about 13 years in the wild.
There has never been a record of a Florida black bear attacking
a human being.
Source: Defenders of Wildlife
Additional Links:
Defenders of Wildlife
www.defenders.org/wildlife/flbears/flbears.html
Click here to learn more about the Defender's of Wildlife's Habitat
for Bears Campaign, and to view a digital slide show of this imperiled
animal.
Florida Black Bear Festival
www.flbearfestival.com
Click here for more information on the second annual Florida Black
Bear Festival, to be held Sept. 30 on the southside of the Ocala
National Forest black bear habitat.
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