Everglades is Home to the Florida Black Bear

florida black bearThe Florida Black Bear calls the Everglades its home. It lives all over Florida and is the state’s largest land mammal. They can weigh anywhere from 125 to 400 pounds.

The Everglades is a great environment for these black bears, because there aren’t too many humans around. These bears love a reclusive life. This park gives the bears to live in a place freely.

Florida black bears are unique because they adapted to thrive in a subtropical habitat, something no other black bear subspecies has accomplished. In South Florida, they live in habitats like sand-pine scrub, hardwood forests, pine rocklands, forested sloughs and oak scrub.

The Everglades is a perfect home for this bear, because it’s full of plant life, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of a black bear’s diet. These bears like to munch on the sabal palmetto, a native tree in the Everglades.

Even with protected wildernesses like the Everglades, Ocala National Forest and Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida black bears experience habitat reduction. Because of humans, Florida black bears lose 20 acres of habitat an hour due to roads, buildings, and homes. Humans also accidently kill black bears on the road, which is currently the primary cause of death of a black bear in Florida. Black bears are active at night and often cross roads, which is why they get hit.

Florida has never seen a predatory black bear attack on humans, but people have been hurt by black bears before, especially if the bear feels like it needs to defend itself or its cubs.

If you encounter a black bear in the Everglades, back away slowly, and never turn your back to a bear. Hold your hands up. Do not make eye contact with the bear. Do not run. Do not climb a tree. Make noise. Blow a whistle or bang things together to scare the bear. Speak calmly to the bear as it will recognize your calm tone. Do not feed a black bear.

Seeing a bear is pretty cool, but it’s cooler (and safer) when you’re not up-close-and-personal like on an airboat. An airboat ride can give you a glimpse of many animals, birds, and plants in the Park. Book an airboat tour by calling 800-368-0065  or visiting our Everglades Airboat Tours page. We are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).

 

Everglades is Home to the Florida Black Bear

florida black bearThe Florida Black Bear calls the Everglades its home. It lives all over Florida and is the state’s largest land mammal. They can weigh anywhere from 125 to 400 pounds.

The Everglades is a great environment for these black bears, because there aren’t too many humans around. These bears love a reclusive life. This park gives the bears to live in a place freely.

Florida black bears are unique because they adapted to thrive in a subtropical habitat, something no other black bear subspecies has accomplished. In South Florida, they live in habitats like sand-pine scrub, hardwood forests, pine rocklands, forested sloughs and oak scrub.

The Everglades is a perfect home for this bear, because it’s full of plant life, which accounts for nearly 80 percent of a black bear’s diet. These bears like to munch on the sabal palmetto, a native tree in the Everglades.

Even with protected wildernesses like the Everglades, Ocala National Forest and Big Cypress National Preserve, Florida black bears experience habitat reduction. Because of humans, Florida black bears lose 20 acres of habitat an hour due to roads, buildings, and homes. Humans also accidently kill black bears on the road, which is currently the primary cause of death of a black bear in Florida. Black bears are active at night and often cross roads, which is why they get hit.

Florida has never seen a predatory black bear attack on humans, but people have been hurt by black bears before, especially if the bear feels like it needs to defend itself or its cubs.

If you encounter a black bear in the Everglades, back away slowly, and never turn your back to a bear. Hold your hands up. Do not make eye contact with the bear. Do not run. Do not climb a tree. Make noise. Blow a whistle or bang things together to scare the bear. Speak calmly to the bear as it will recognize your calm tone. Do not feed a black bear.

Seeing a bear is pretty cool, but it’s cooler (and safer) when you’re not up-close-and-personal like on an airboat. An airboat ride can give you a glimpse of many animals, birds, and plants in the Park. Book an airboat tour by calling 800-368-0065  or visiting our Everglades Airboat Tours page. We are open seven days a week 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m. If paying by cash, adults cost $40 (plus tax) and children 12 and under cost $20 (plus tax. If paying by credit card, adults cost $45 (plus tax) and children cost $25 (plus tax).