Life Expectancy - FWC
Maybe your like
- Buy and Apply
Recreational
- Fishing & Hunting
- How to Order
- Do I Need a License?
- Limited Entry/Quota Hunts
- Public Land Use
- Accessibility Accommodations
Commercial
- Commercial Licenses
- Commercial Saltwater
- Commercial Freshwater
- CLS Online Login
- Charter Licenses
- Vessel Pier Licenses
Wildlife
- Wildlife Permits
- Nuisance Wildlife Permits
- Captive Wildlife Permits
More ...
- Application Forms
- Boating & Navigation
- Fishing & Hunting
- Resolve a Wildlife Conflict
Wildlife Alert
- Report a Violation
- Know the Rules
- Captive Wildlife
- Saltwater Recreational Regulations
- Freshwater Recreational Regulations
- Hunting Regulations
- Boating Regulations
- See All
Resolve Wildlife Conflict
- Learn to Unhook Seabirds
- Living with Wildlife
- Bear
- Bats
- Coyote
- Alligators and Crocodiles
- Shorebirds/Seabirds
- Snakes
- See All
Report Issues
- Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
- Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
- Report Fish Kills
- Red Tide Status
- Report Sightings of Nonnative Species
- Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees
- See All
- Engaging in Conservation
Conservation
- Value of Conservation
- Living with Wildlife
- Freshwater Programs
- Saltwater Programs
- Terrestrial Programs
- Stash the trash
- Special Initiatives
- Coastal Wildlife
- State Wildlife Action Plan
- See All
Wildlife and Habitats
- Wildlife Conservation
- Nonnative Species
- Species Profiles
- Alligator
- Bald Eagle
- Bear
- Gopher Tortoise
- Manatee
- Panther
- Sea Turtle
- See All
How You Can Conserve
- Install Wildlife Lighting
- Exotic Pet Amnesty
- Habitat Management
- Working with Private Landowners
- Invasive Plants
- Prescribed Fire
- Management Plans
- Aquatic Habitat Conservation
- See All
- Education
- Educators
- Outdoor Skills
- Learn about Wildlife
- See All
Research
- Freshwater
- GIS and Mapping
- Habitat
- Manatee
- Red Tide
- Saltwater
- Wildlife
- Publications
- About
- Things To Do
Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Recreational Regulations
- Commercial Regulations
- Fish Identification
- Fishing Education
- Sites & Forecasts
- See All
- Saltwater Fishing
- Recreational Regulations
- Commercial Regulations
- Fish Identification
- Saltwater Fishing Clinics
- Provide Comments
- See All
Hunting
- Regulations
- WMA Brochures
- Season Dates
- Hunter Safety
- Limited Entry Hunts
- New Hunter
- Public Shooting Ranges
- Alligator
- Deer
- Dove
- Turkey
- Quail
- Waterfowl
- Wild Hog
Wildlife Recreation
- Wildlife Viewing
- Where to View Wildlife
- How to View Wildlife
- Backyards and Beyond
- Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
- See All
- Recreation on Wild Lands
- What are WMAS?
- Explore by name
- Explore by map
- What to Do
- See All
Boating
- Regulations
- Safety & Education
- Safety Equipment
- ID Cards
- Courses
- See All
- Boat Ramps & Access
- Derelict Vessels
- Stash the trash
- Wear It Florida
- Wildlife Alert
- Freshwater Fishing
- Places To Go
WMAs
- WMA Brochures
- Area Opened/Closed Status
- What are Wildlife Management Areas?
- Explore By Name
- Explore the Map
- See All
Recreation
- Where to Go
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- See All
- Outfitters and Guides
Public Shooting Ranges
- Range Safety Rules
- Safety & Education
- Map of public shooting ranges
Go Outdoors Florida!
- Discover Wildlands
- Fishing Sites & Forecasts
- Boating Ramps & Access
- Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
- Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
- Calendar of Events
- Artificial Reefs
- WMA Brochures
- About Us
About
- Inside FWC
- Research Institute
- Hunting and Game Management
- Freshwater Fisheries Management
- Law Enforcement
- Habitat and Species Conservation
- Marine Fisheries Management
- See All
Commission
- Commission Meetings
- Commissioners
- Agency Overview
- Strategic Planning
- Rules & Regulations
- News
- Sign up for news releases
Contact
- Social Media
- FWC Offices
- Law Enforcement
- Wildlife Alert
- Tell Us What You Think
- Rule Change Comments
- Public Records Requests
- Order Publications
- Signs
- Participation at Your Event
Get Involved
- Volunteer
- Internships
- Employment
- Law Enforcement
- Career Opportunities
- Support FWC
- Gift Ideas
- Youth Programs and Activities
- Donate
- Buy-a-Plate
- Inside FWC
- Buy and Apply
- Recreational
- Fishing & Hunting
- How to Order
- Do I Need a License?
- Limited Entry/Quota Hunts
- Public Land Use
- Accessibility Accommodations
- Fishing & Hunting
- Commercial
- Commercial Licenses
- Commercial Saltwater
- Commercial Freshwater
- CLS Online Login
- Charter Licenses
- Vessel Pier Licenses
- Commercial Licenses
- Wildlife
- Wildlife Permits
- Nuisance Wildlife Permits
- Captive Wildlife Permits
- More ...
- Application Forms
- Boating & Navigation
- Recreational
- Resolve a Wildlife Conflict
- Wildlife Alert
- Report a Violation
- Know the Rules
- Captive Wildlife
- Saltwater Recreational Regulations
- Freshwater Recreational Regulations
- Hunting Regulations
- Boating Regulations
- See All
- Resolve Wildlife Conflict
- Learn to Unhook Seabirds
- Living with Wildlife
- Bear
- Bats
- Coyote
- Alligators and Crocodiles
- Shorebirds/Seabirds
- Snakes
- See All
- Report Issues
- Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
- Statewide Nuisance Alligator Program
- Report Fish Kills
- Red Tide Status
- Report Sightings of Nonnative Species
- Report injured, orphaned or dead manatees
- See All
- Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc.
- Wildlife Alert
- Engaging in Conservation
- Conservation
- Value of Conservation
- Living with Wildlife
- Freshwater Programs
- Saltwater Programs
- Terrestrial Programs
- Stash the trash
- Special Initiatives
- Coastal Wildlife
- State Wildlife Action Plan
- See All
- Wildlife and Habitats
- Wildlife Conservation
- Nonnative Species
- Species Profiles
- Alligator
- Bald Eagle
- Bear
- Gopher Tortoise
- Manatee
- Panther
- Sea Turtle
- See All
- How You Can Conserve
- Install Wildlife Lighting
- Exotic Pet Amnesty
- Habitat Management
- Working with Private Landowners
- Invasive Plants
- Prescribed Fire
- Management Plans
- Aquatic Habitat Conservation
- See All
- Education
- Educators
- Outdoor Skills
- Learn about Wildlife
- See All
- Research
- Freshwater
- GIS and Mapping
- Habitat
- Manatee
- Red Tide
- Saltwater
- Wildlife
- Publications
- About
- Conservation
- Things To Do
- Fishing
- Freshwater Fishing
- Recreational Regulations
- Commercial Regulations
- Fish Identification
- Fishing Education
- Sites & Forecasts
- See All
- Saltwater Fishing
- Recreational Regulations
- Commercial Regulations
- Fish Identification
- Saltwater Fishing Clinics
- Provide Comments
- See All
- Freshwater Fishing
- Hunting
- Regulations
- WMA Brochures
- Season Dates
- Hunter Safety
- Limited Entry Hunts
- New Hunter
- Public Shooting Ranges
- Alligator
- Deer
- Dove
- Turkey
- Quail
- Waterfowl
- Wild Hog
- Regulations
- Wildlife Recreation
- Wildlife Viewing
- Where to View Wildlife
- How to View Wildlife
- Backyards and Beyond
- Great Florida Birding and Wildlife Trail
- See All
- Recreation on Wild Lands
- What are WMAS?
- Explore by name
- Explore by map
- What to Do
- See All
- Wildlife Viewing
- Boating
- Regulations
- Safety & Education
- Safety Equipment
- ID Cards
- Courses
- See All
- Boat Ramps & Access
- Derelict Vessels
- Stash the trash
- Wear It Florida
- Wildlife Alert
- Fishing
- Places To Go
- WMAs
- WMA Brochures
- Area Opened/Closed Status
- What are Wildlife Management Areas?
- Explore By Name
- Explore the Map
- See All
- WMA Brochures
- Recreation
- Where to Go
- Hunting
- Fishing
- Wildlife Viewing
- Hiking
- See All
- Outfitters and Guides
- Where to Go
- Public Shooting Ranges
- Range Safety Rules
- Safety & Education
- Map of public shooting ranges
- Go Outdoors Florida!
- Discover Wildlands
- Fishing Sites & Forecasts
- Boating Ramps & Access
- Great Florida Birding & Wildlife Trail
- Florida Youth Conservation Centers Network
- Calendar of Events
- Artificial Reefs
- WMAs
- About Us
- About
- Inside FWC
- Research Institute
- Hunting and Game Management
- Freshwater Fisheries Management
- Law Enforcement
- Habitat and Species Conservation
- Marine Fisheries Management
- See All
- Inside FWC
- Commission
- Commission Meetings
- Commissioners
- Agency Overview
- Strategic Planning
- Rules & Regulations
- News
- Sign up for news releases
- Contact
- Social Media
- FWC Offices
- Law Enforcement
- Wildlife Alert
- Tell Us What You Think
- Rule Change Comments
- Public Records Requests
- Order Publications
- Signs
- Participation at Your Event
- Get Involved
- Volunteer
- Internships
- Employment
- Law Enforcement
- Career Opportunities
- Support FWC
- Gift Ideas
- Youth Programs and Activities
- Donate
- Buy-a-Plate
- About
- Home
- Wildlife & Habitats
- Wildlife Conservation
- The Florida Black Bear
- Facts
- Life Expectancy
What's In an Age?
Unlike most animals, we can tell exactly how old bears are. Bears can be aged by removing and sectioning a small premolar tooth near their canine teeth. Just like a tree has growth rings for each year of life, rings show up in the cross section of the tooth. Because bears den each year, there is a period of time where lack of food creates ring. Over the years, enamel coats each ring so that when you look at a section of bear tooth under a scope, you see a ring for each year the bear has been alive.
While we can tell the age of individual bears, determining the average life-span for wild black bears is very difficult. Many bear die in the wild that are not examined and aged by biologists. We can only report on the ages of bears we have documented over the years.The oldest known male Florida black bear was 20 years old and caught in 2008 in Marion County. In 2014, the oldest known female Florida black bear was caught in Santa Rosa County and aged at 22 years old. In August 2013, the oldest known wild black bear died in Minnesota of natural causes at the age of 39 years old. She was actually the oldest wild bear, of any species, in the world. In captivity, black bears have been known to live into their 30's. Because adult black bears have no predators aside humans and other bears, they tend to live longer than most other wild animals.
In Florida, a large contributor to black bear mortality is collisions with vehicles. In an average year, over 200 bears are killed on Florida roads.
Life Expectancy and Mortality:
Cubs: Approximately 25-50% of all cubs die before they are one year old. Natural causes of death include drowning, den cave-ins, hypothermia due to flooded dens, starvation, or infections from injuries.
Two of the biggest threats are other bears (who see the cubs as an easy meal) and being hit by vehicles.Juveniles: Yearlings will establish their own home range once they disperse from their mother. Yearlings are susceptible to high mortality rates as a result of starvation, predation by other bears, and vehicle collisions. About a quarter will die before they turn two years old.
Young, independent females usually establish a home range close to their mother. About 20% die before reaching adulthood (about 4 years old).
Juvenile males travel farther in search of a new home range. The traveling needed to forage and find den sites in new, unfamiliar areas increases mortality risks, and approximately 46% of males will die before reaching adulthood.
Adults: Once fully grown, black bears have no predators besides humans and other bears. Main causes of mortality are vehicle collisions, starvation, and poaching.
Hunting:FWC initiated its first regulated hunting season for bears in 1936. After population assessments indicated a decline in bear numbers, bear hunting was closed throughout most of Florida in 1971. Apalachicola National Forest, Osceola National Forest, and Baker and Columbia counties maintained hunting seasons for bears until 1994. Between 1981 and 1994, an average of 46 bears were killed each year during the legal bear hunting season.
View a timeline that includes hunting regulations and other state management activities regarding the Florida black bear in Table 5 of the Florida Black Bear Management Plan. In June 2015, the FWC Commissioners approved a limited bear hunt to take place in October 2015 in four of the seven BMUs to stabilize bear subpopulation numbers. A total of 304 bears were taken during the hunt. To learn more about the full details of the hunt, please review the summary document and spreadsheet of all data collected on harvested bears.Disease and Parasites:Little information is available on the diseases and parasites of wild black bears. Research shows that, while bears host external parasites (ticks and mites) and several types of internal parasites (helminths, nematodes, trematodes, and acanthocephalams); they are not believed to cause any significant health problems to bears. Bears have been documented to carry demodectic mange in Florida, however, it is not prevalent or believed to be a significant cause of mortality.
💬 Ask Buck! ✖Tag » How Long Do Black Bears Live
-
Facts About Black Bears
-
How Long Do Bears Live? | Yellowstone Bear World
-
Black Bear Guide | BBC Wildlife
-
Black Bear | National Wildlife Federation
-
All About Black Bears. Learn The Bear Facts And Common Myths.
-
Bear Lifespan: How Long Do Bears Live? - AZ Animals
-
American Black Bear Facts - NatureMapping Foundation
-
Black Bear - Hinterland Who's Who
-
Longevity And Causes Of Death - North American Bear Center
-
Black Bears - Bears (U.S. National Park Service)
-
Quick Black Bear Facts
-
[PDF] Black Bear Factsheet
-
How Long Do Bears Live? - Animal Corner