Scientific Name: Ursus americanus

Also commonly known as: American Black Bear, Cinnamon Bear and Kermode Bear

The Florida black bear is one of eighteen known subspecies found throughout the United States and Canada. The black bear population of the United States is estimated at 750,000, with the largest state population of 7,000 in Pennsylvania. Unfortunately, Florida's population is not so numerous. Once estimated at 12,000 animals throughout Florida, Alabama and southern Georgia, there are less than 1,500 bears left today. The human population in Florida grows at a rate of 500-1000 new residents per day. This development destroys nearly 20 acres of natural habitat every hour. In addition, the wider and more frequent roadways with increased speed limits have proven deadly to our Black Bear population.

The Bear Facts

• No human has ever been killed by a black bear.

• An average male weighs 350 lbs. while a female averages about 150 lbs.

• A black bear's diet is about 80% vegetable matter. Such foods include berries, acorns, insects and palmetto hearts.

• Both wetland and upland forest habitats are home to the Florida black bear.

• The average home range for a female black bear is about 11 square miles; while that of the male is around 66 square miles.

• A healthy bear population needs at least 400,000 acres to survive. To protect an area of that size in a highly developed Florida requires preserving the connections between core habitats.