Florida Black Bear Musmatta

The Florida Black Bear is generally curious but non-aggressive, in most situations. They mostly hang around food. If they feel threatened they may slap the ground, blow air forcefully through their nose or mouth, or snap their teeth together. They may also appear to take a run at you. They will not follow through. It’s kind of a bluff. They do this to scare away their threat. The time to worry is if they are quiet, staring at you, and flattening their ears. This guy was minding his own business looking for food when he noticed I was photographing it. Thank goodness this bear was more interested in berries than me!!! After a quick look at me, it was back on the food hunt. This photo was taken in the Ocala National Forest.