The Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus) is the state’s largest native land mammal and a unique subspecies that has adapted to Florida’s subtropical climate.
- A black bear's sense of smell is roughly seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s. They can detect food scents from more than a mile away.
- Black bears are exceptional climbers and will often scale trees to escape perceived threats or to find a safe place to nap.
- You can estimate a bear's age by its ears. Juveniles have large, prominent "Mickey Mouse" ears on small faces, while older males have small, rounded ears that seem proportionally tiny on their massive, wide heads.
- Florida black bears don't truly hibernate. Instead, they enter a state called torpor—a light sleep where they can be easily awakened. Males may not den at all if food is abundant.
- About 80% of the Florida black bear’s diet is plant-based, consisting of saw palmetto berries, acorns, and nuts. Insects make up about 15%, while meat only accounts for roughly 5%.
- Florida black bears were hunted to near extinction, with only 300–500 left, in the 1970s, they were listed as Threatened until 2012. Today, the population is estimated at over 4,000 individuals.
- Vehicle strikes remain the leading cause of death for Florida black bears. Over 90% of documented bear deaths are due to collisions.
What is the light sleep state that Florida black bears enter in the winter?
If hibernation then N 26° 20.143 W 081° 40.438
If torpor then N 26° 20.243 W 081° 40.438
If aestivation then N 26° 20.243 W 081° 40.538