Osceola Forest Wildlife "Florida Black Bear" Mystery Cache

The Florida black bear is a unique subspecies of the American black bear and Florids's largest land mammal. Black bears once ranged throughout Florida but now live in several fragmented areas across the state. While the Florida black bear has genetic and skeletal characteristics that distinguish them from other subspecies, physically they do not appear very different from other black bears. Like all members of the bear family, black bears are large, powerful mammals with rounded ears, short tails, 5-toed feet, and large canine teeth. Black bears walk flat-footed, just like people, with all 5 toes on the ground. While they may look slow because of their shuffling gait, black bears can sprint at up to 35 miles an hour. Black bears are the only species of bear found in Florida. 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.  The largest adult female black bear in Florida weighed 400 lbs. Adult male black bears usually live within a 60 square mile area, whereas females usually live within a 15 square mile area. Female bears have their first litter at about 3 ½ years old and generally have a litter every other year. In Florida, the breeding season runs from June to August and cubs are born around late January or early February. Bears are excellent climbers and often climb trees when they are frightened. About 80 percent of a black bear’s diet comes from plants (e.g., fruits, nuts, berries), 15 percent from insects (e.g., termites, ants, yellow jackets) and 5 percent from meat (e.g., opossums, armadillos, carrion. Bears are solitary by nature, except when in family groups of mothers and cubs or in pairs during the mating season. Seeing a black bear is a thrilling and rewarding experience. The presence of bears is not necessarily a problem or a threat to your safety. But it is important to remember that bears are wild animals and deserve respect. If you are not careful, you could break the law and risk both your own safety and the bear's. The oldest known male Florida black bear was 20 years old and caught in 2008 in Marion County. In 2014, the oldest known female Florida black bear was caught in Santa Rosa County and aged at 22 years old.

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