When most people picture a bear’s diet, they imagine sharp teeth tearing into meat or raiding picnic baskets, cartoon-style. But Florida’s black bears are far more likely to be caught nibbling berries than chasing prey. In fact, they’re some of the most plant-focused bears in North America—more like giant, shaggy vegetarians with a sweet tooth.
80% Plants, 20% Everything Else
Florida black bears (Ursus americanus floridanus) are opportunistic omnivores, meaning they’ll eat just about anything—but plants dominate their menu. A whopping 80% of their diet is plant-based, with favorites including:
Saw palmetto berries – high in fat, great for packing on weight before winter
Beautyberries (Callicarpa americana) – yes, those jewel-toned purple clusters we love are also bear candy
Acorns – a crucial fall food source
Wild grapes, hickory nuts, and other seasonal fruits
The remaining 20% comes from insects (ants, termites, beetles), honey, and occasionally carrion. Despite their size, they’re not active predators; meat is a rare treat rather than a hunting goal.
The Sweet Tooth of the Swamp
Black bears are Florida’s original honey thieves. They’ll happily tear into bee hives or hornet nests to get to the sweet stuff—not for the honey alone, but for the protein-packed larvae. To a bear, that’s a two-for-one gourmet meal.
Myth-Busting the “Meat-Hungry Predator”
While a black bear can take down small animals if desperate, most of the time it simply isn’t worth the effort. Florida’s bears evolved to thrive on calorie-rich plants—a smart strategy in a subtropical state where fruiting shrubs and nut-bearing trees are abundant nearly year-round.
So if you imagine a bear prowling Florida’s palmetto thickets, think less “ferocious hunter” and more “giant squirrel with a better sense of smell.”
If You Ate Like a Florida Black Bear for a Week…
Your grocery list would look something like this:
4 pounds of saw palmetto berries
2 pounds of beautyberries
A handful of acorns every day
Several cups of termites and beetle larvae (sorry!)
A pint of wild honey, complete with crunchy bee brood
You’d also spend much of your day foraging, sniffing out food with a sense of smell seven times stronger than a bloodhound’s.
Why It Matters
By gorging on berries and nuts, bears also play a role in spreading seeds across Florida’s forests, helping regenerate habitats after storms or fires. Every bite they take helps shape the wild places we love.
A Final Thought
Next time you see those bright purple beautyberries ripening along a Florida trail, imagine a bear pausing to eat them too. Behind that shaggy, powerful frame is a creature that survives mostly on plants, berries, and bugs—a humble forager in a state of endless abundance.