Florida black bears do not hibernate, but rather go into a semi-hibernation state known as torpor. In Florida they may do so only during extremely severe winter weather. Torpor tends to be more common in females who den when they are producing cubs. The female may stay in her den for a few months.
How common are black bear attacks in Florida?
Bear attacks are extremely rare in Florida. According to data collected by the FWC, which started keeping records in 1976, this is the 14th documented black bear attack against a person resulting in moderate to serious injuries.
What time of day are Florida black bears most active?
Bears are most active around dusk and dawn, and therefore most vehicle-bear collisions happen during these times of day.
Do Florida black bears migrate?
Florida black bears don’t have to hibernate to avoid the cold, but they do go into a lethargic state because there is less food in the winter. FORT MYERS, Fla. — Black bears are on the move in Southwest Florida, roaming the land in search of high-calorie vittles to pack on the pounds for the coming winter months.
Where do bears Den in Florida?
Because their cubs will be born in the den, they often select more protected sites than other bears. Dens are commonly made on the ground in ‘nests’ in dense thickets, but have also been found in tree cavities and under blow-downs or fallen logs.
What time of year are bears most active in Florida?
As Florida black bears become active in late winter and spring, the chances of a bear encounter go up significantly if you leave food unsecured outdoors – whether in your campsite or at home. As our temperatures warm up and the wildflowers start blooming, the bears come out of hiding.
Are Florida bears aggressive?
Even though they are typically quiet and shy animals, they have the potential to seriously harm or kill people. Do not take unnecessary risks! While bear attacks on people are extremely rare in Florida, people have been bitten and scratched by bears defending themselves, cubs, or food sources (Table 1).
Are there grizzly bears in Florida?
The black bear is the only bear species present in Florida. There are no grizzlies, brown bears, or polar bears in the state.
What to do if a black bear is in your yard?
Stand and face the bear directly. Never run away from or approach him. Make yourself look as big as possible by spreading your arms or, better yet, a coat. Make as much noise as possible by yelling, banging pots and pans or using other noisemaking devices.
Do barking dogs scare away bears?
The short answer is, yes. A dog can smell a bear and alert you well in advance that something’s there, which could in turn divert a potential encounter. And a barking dog can discourage a bear from investigating a campsite.
Where do Florida black bears sleep?
Florida black bears go into dens between late December and late March. These dens may be along the forest floor or in trees.
What time of year are bears most aggressive?
Despite the high-profile bear conflicts that have taken place so far in 2021, the worst may still be yet to come. In autumn, bears enter what’s called hyperphagia, where they go after as much food as possible before going into hibernation. This makes for more active bears—and more encounters with humans.
Are Florida black bears nocturnal?
Primarily nocturnal, Florida black bears forage at night. As omnivorous opportunists, they enjoy a diverse diet including nuts and fruit such as acorns, berries, saw palmetto and sabal palm fruits, grasses, insects, honey. More rarely they eat meat from armadillos, deer, raccoons, and wild pigs.
Does Florida have a black bear season?
Florida does not have an open regulated bear hunting season at this time. The first regulated bear hunting season started in 1936 in Florida, and continued in parts of the state until 1994.
How big are Florida black bears?
FWC biologists estimate that there are approximately 4,050 black bears in Florida. Adult male black bears usually weigh between 250 to 350 lbs. The largest adult male black bear in Florida weighed 760 lbs. Adult female black bears are smaller than males, usually weighing between 130 and 180 lbs.
What do black bears eat in Florida?
What Does a Black Bear Eat? Bears are called omnivores because they eat both plant and animals. A Florida black bear’s diet varies, but usually consists of 80% plants, 15% insects, and 5% animal matter. The vegetative part of their diet is made up of grasses and leaves, as well as mast.
Where do black bears sleep at night?
Black bears sleep on the ground throughout the spring, summer, and autumn. In the winter, they hibernate in dens. Some black bears create their own dens, but most uses abandoned caves.
What temperature do bears hibernate?
As the bear enters hibernation, its metabolic processes such as body temperature, heart rate, and respiratory rate are reduced. But bears do not lower the body temperature as much as once thought. Their hibernation temperature is around 88 degrees and waking temperature is 100 degrees F.
Will an electric fence stop a bear?
A properly installed electric fence will prevent bears from accessing areas of your property and can be an effective long term solution to preventing bear problems. Electric fencing can be used in many situations to effectively deter bears and other wildlife from various attractants.
What to do if you see a Florida black bear?
- Make sure that you are in a safe area and that the bear has a clear escape route. …
- Do NOT turn your back, play dead, climb a tree or run. …
- Avoid direct eye contact. …
- Report any bear that is threatening the safety of humans, pets or livestock, or causing property damage to the FWC.
Are black bears active at night?
Behavior: Most bears become active a half-hour before sunrise, take a nap or two during the day, and bed down for the night an hour or two after sunset. Some bears are active mainly at night to avoid people or other bears. Black bears are considered highly efficient hibernators.
Can you shoot a black bear in Florida?
Myth # 9: It is legal to shoot a black bear on your property. In Florida, black bears are protected by law. It is illegal to kill a bear without an FWC issued hunting or depredation permit, unless it is protect human life. A viable alternative to shooting a bear perceived as a threat is through the use of bear spray.
What kind of bear lives in Florida?
The Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) is a subspecies of the American black bear that has historically ranged throughout most of Florida and the southern portions of Georgia, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Are there bears in Central Florida?
Despite thousands of nuisance calls, wildlife officers move only a dozen bears a year from Central Florida neighborhoods, usually to Ocala National Forest, and euthanize about a dozen more. Relocation fails about half the time. Bears follow their noses and sometimes find their way back.
Is there a bear season in Florida?
Florida does not have an open regulated bear hunting season at this time. The first regulated bear hunting season started in 1936 in Florida, and continued in parts of the state until 1994.
