Perhaps as many as 12,000 black bears once roamed throughout Florida; however, now fewer than 3,500 are believed to remain. Six sub-populations are recognized across the State. One of the largest populations includes lands owned by JOE.  This species is listed as threatened by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWCC).

The Florida black bear lives in a variety of habitats found throughout Florida, including mixed hardwood, pine, and cabbage palm hammock, cypress swamps, bay heads and upland oak scrub. Bears use these forests for their daily movement and activities. Forests provide habitat for denning, breeding, refuge, and numerous sources of food.

The Florida black bear is an omnivore and eats a variety of different foods. One of its favorites is palmetto berries. Eighty percent of the bear's diet consists of vegetable matter such as fruits, berries, and acorns. Insects and occasionally other animals like armadillos and carrion make up the rest.

Adult female bears have two to four cubs every two years. Their dens may be high in a tree, in a hollowed-out stump, or simply a depression in the forest floor protected by the surrounding vegetation.  Cubs are dependent on the sow for nearly two years while she protects and teaches lessons for survival.

Land management practices on JOE property have created and maintained suitable habitat for black bears in many areas.  Large contiguous pine silvicultgural forests and associated wetlands on JOE property have provided extensive habitat necessary to support viable bear populations.  Therefore, bears have flourished across much of JOE’s land holdings in the lower coastal plain pine flatwoods.

JOE’s development teams have made great efforts to minimize impacts to and conflicts with bears at development sites.  Bear management plans are developed and implemented for all major JOE developments. Staff biologists assist with educating homeowners on preventing nuisance bear issues.  Bear crossing signs and underpasses are incorporated in road plans that traverse bear range.  Bear proof trash containers or enclosures also are required at all JOE developments.  These measures are used to assure that JOE development plans do not jeopardize the region’s bear populations.