112 HUNTING AND FISHING IN FLORIDA, 



Family PROCYONID^. The Raccoons. 



PROCYON LOTOR {Linn.). 

 Raccoon. 



Common. Somewhat smaller and more rusty in color than North- 

 ern specimens. 



In Florida the raccoon likes swampy places ; it is usually com- 

 mon near the seacoast, as it is particularly partial to crabs and fish. 



Family URSID^. The Bears. 



URSUS AMERICANUS Pall. 

 Black Bear. 



Most common near the seacoast in unsettled portions of the 

 State, The Florida bear equals and perhaps exceeds in size its 

 Northern relative. 



Bears are claimed to hav'e been killed which weighed over six 

 hundred pounds, and I, myself, have shot specimens which would 

 weigh in the vicinity of five hundred pounds. One large male 

 which I did not weigh measured fifty-six inches (tight measure) 

 around the belly, and six feet two and one half inches from nose 

 to tail. This bear was fat and in good condition. One of the claws 

 measured three and one fourth inches, measured on the curve. 



The Black Bear hibernates in Florida, as it does elsewhere in the 

 United States, usually remaining hidden from about Christmas time 

 until March. The flesh of a young one is palatable, and the oil is 

 much esteemed by the Indians and hunters, and is used for cooking 

 purposes as a substitute for lard. 



Late in the fall bears seek localities where berries of the "scrub" 

 palmetto are abundant, in some seasons. When berries arei abund- 

 ant the bears become very fat. After their winter sleep they 

 wander about a good deal, feeding upon the crabs which they find 

 on the beach and the buds of the mangrove trees, as well as the 

 cabbage of the palmetto palm, and at this season a pig is a welcome 

 addition to their larder. Still later in the season, during June, 

 they hunt the beaches for turtles' eggs, of which they are very fond. 



