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American Black Bear

Ursus americanus

Found in Floridamammals
4 Dangerous danger 4 out of 5
American Black Bear
Photo by Diginatur (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons
Photo by Diginatur (CC BY-SA 3.0) via Wikimedia Commons

What you should know

Black bears are large, powerful wild animals that live in forests, swamps, and scrublands across North America, including Florida. Even though they can look fluffy and cute, they are strong enough to seriously hurt a person and should never be approached or fed. If you ever see a bear, stay calm, speak in a low voice, make yourself look big, and slowly back away without running.

Whoa

A black bear can smell food from over a mile away, making its nose about seven times more powerful than a bloodhound's.

Staying safe around it

Treat it with respect, keep your distance, and tell a grown-up if you see one up close.

Always ask a grown-up before you touch any animal or plant. If something bites or stings you, tell an adult right away.

Source: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission

Read more about the american black bear at Wikipedia.