FLORIDA BLACK BEARS: REMARKABLE RESIDENTS OF CITRUS COUNTY FORESTS

When thoughts turn to Florida, images of tropical palm trees, sunning alligators, endless coastlines and summer getaways come to mind. Bears are not likely to be at the top of the list. Yet they once spread throughout the state and maintain populations today in several areas. They also number among Florida's most interesting animal residents and have a complex relationship with the state's ever-expanding population.

So while you may not see them on many postcards, you could say you "bear-ly" know anything about the state's wildlife without an understanding of these furry forest residents.

Species and Subspecies

The bear family (Usidae) is found throughout the world and includes a vast array of species adapted to their unique environments. Common traits shared by all bears include a large caniform—dog-like—body with a long snout and claws, five-toed feet, short tails, large canine teeth. Bears overall also have an acute sense of smell, a mostly solitary lifestyle and a propensity for seasonal hibernation-like sleep.

The species of bear most common to the North American continent is the black bear (Ursus Americanus) found in most of Canada, parts of Mexico and 41 of the 50 American states. As their name suggests, black bears typically—and in Florida, exclusively—sport a thick coat of black fur. Adult males are bigger than adult females, reflecting a trait known as "sexual dimorphism." Across the continent, the typical range in length is from 4 to 7 feet.

The genetically distinct subspecies of black bear found in Florida is the Florida black bear (Ursus americanus floridanus). Adult Florida black bear females are normally between 125 to 250 pounds, and adult males weigh 250-450 pounds. Florida's bears today are found most in eight specific ranges scattered throughout the state. The Chassahowitzka range extends into western Citrus County and includes the Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge, which spans southwestern Citrus County and northwestern Hernando County.

A Bear's Life

Florida black bears' eating habits shifts dramatically from season to season, depending on the supplies of food available. In the fall, the bears eat as much as possible, gaining as much as 1-1/2 times their summer weights. Known as "hyperphagia," this practice helps prepare them for the colder months ahead, when food supplies become leaner and so do the bears.

This winter food shortage, and not colder temperatures, is the cause of their partial hibernation or "winter lethargy" behavior. While Florida's warmer weather reduces the length of the winter lull, the state's black bears do often find a den in a tree cavity or dense thicket and hunker down for a few weeks. Pregnant bears remain in their dens all winter long and give birth to their cubs in this more protected environment. The difference between black bears' winter lethargy and true hibernation is one of body temperature: Mammals who hibernate have a dramatic drop in body temperature, while black bears do not. In fact, black bears in Florida and surrounding states are alert enough to run away if humans approach their dens.

Black bears can lose as much as a quarter of their weight during their period in the den. They regain weight in the springtime as vegetation returns in full. Then, in summer, the focus shifts to breeding, and males spend most of their time searching for mates. Female bears and cubs forage heavily during the summer months.

Black bears reach breeding age at about 4 years, and mother bears can typically give birth every two years if they are well fed. A litter of cubs usually consists of two or three babies. Each cub is born hairless, tiny (10-14 ounces) and blind, and will stay with their mothers until they are about 1-1/2 years old.

Florida's bears are omnivores, eating a combination of plants and animal life. Some 80 percent of their diet consists of plant matter such as berries, acorns and nuts. The remaining 20 percent is made up of insects and scavenged meat.

This natural dietary balance can shift dramatically where human and black bear populations meet. Much like raccoons and other wildlife, black bears love the virtually all-you-can-eat buffet provided by human garbage. Once a bear gets a taste for human leftovers, the calorie-saturated food can cause the animal to grow to unusually large sizes and cause a variety of health problems. Plus, a garbage-seeking bear is more likely to venture into areas with dangerous traffic or destroy property in their search for food. Because bears are hyperphagic, they will return again and again to a ready source of food as they fatten up for the winter.

Sharing the State

By taking several simple precautions, Florida residents and visitors can help protect themselves, their properties and bears with whom we share the state.

Feeding bears is illegal in Florida, and residents in areas with known black bear populations should also secure their garbage to avoid accidentally feeding them. Leaving pet food on the back porch can also unintentionally be feeding them and create a potentially dangerous situation as the bear makes itself at home. Dumped grease, open barbeque grills with fatty residue and bird feeders can also attract black bears. Sadly, once bears lose their natural fear of humans and begin spending more and more time in settled areas, they may have to be euthanized to avoid endangering people. All too often, a fed bear is a dead bear in Florida.

Bear attacks are rare—bees and lightening pose far greater threats. But hikers and others venturing into bear territory should remember to watch the animals from a distance only, avoid eye contact, back away slowly if approached and to alert the bear to one's presence by making a noise. More often than not, a bear encountered as you explore the great outdoors will see you long before you see it and quickly disappear into the forest.

A fantastic place to safely see black bears is at the Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Citrus County. There, bears and a large number of other native Florida species can be seen in authentic habitats along the park's renowned Wildlife Walk.

Bear Links

• Florida FWC Bear Information — Includes a variety of pages covering every aspect of black bears, plus information and activities for children.
• Bear.org — Extensive articles and information on black bears and other bear species.
• Wikipedia American Black Bear Page — A useful overview with several additional links to black bear resources.