VIDEO: USDA Forest Services Reminds Citizens To Be Bear Aware In Florida

By  //  December 17, 2015

what to do if you encounter a black bear

ABOVE VIDEO: This bear awareness video is designed to inform visitors on what they should do if they encounter a black bear in one of the National Forests in Florida. This video also covers the Supervisor’s Food Storage Order.

The Florida black bear is a subspecies of the American black bear that has historically ranged throughout most of Florida and southern portions of Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi.

The large black-furred bears live mainly in forested areas and have seen recent habitat reduction throughout the state.

Florida black bears are typically large-bodied with shiny black fur, a light brown nose and a short stubby tail.

A white chest patch is also common on many but not all the bears.

It is currently Florida’s largest terrestrial mammal with an average male weight of 300 pounds and a few have grown above 500 pounds.

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Females generally weigh less and on average are about 198 pounds.

Average adults have a length of between 4 feet and 6 feet, and they also stand between 2.5 feet and 3.5 feet high at the shoulder.