Florida Black Bears

Florida black bears have been in the news, frequently, this year! On today's episode, we chat about the Florida black bear's diet, behavior, and biology, and provide some tips for co-existing with our resident bears.

Learn More:

• Living with the Florida black bear - https://www.myfwc.com/bear⁠
• Where are the large bear populations? - https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/bear-management-units/

How You Can Help:

• Limit attractants in your yard and protect bears from accessing your garbage cans. Be bear aware: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/living/
• Report a sick, injured, orphaned, or dead bear: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/nuisance-contact/
• If you live in areas with a lot of bear activity, learn how to "Scare That Bear!" here: https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/wildlife/bear/living/scare/

Sources for this Episode:

• Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission: https://www.myfwc.com/bear⁠⁠
• Bears and Apiaries (UF/IFAS): https://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/publication/IN1318
• Living with Black Bears: https://blogs.ifas.ufl.edu/polkco/2017/04/24/florida-black-bears/

If you enjoyed this episode, please consider sharing it with a friend who might enjoy learning about Florida's natural areas and the wild things that live here!

If you're active on iNaturalist, consider joining our iNaturalist project, Naturally Florida's Listener Observations, here: ⁠⁠⁠⁠https://www.inaturalist.org/projects/naturally-florida-s-listener-observations