A black bear in Daytona Beach, Florida, was caught enjoying a rare moment of relaxation — swinging gently in a backyard hammock after rummaging through trash cans the night before. The encounter was captured by a local photographer, who stayed at a safe distance.
In a surprising and oddly adorable moment of wildlife-meets-suburbia, a black bear was spotted relaxing in a hammock in a Daytona Beach backyard, proving that even wild animals need a break sometimes. The bear, presumed to be the same one seen the previous night knocking over trash bins and startling residents, returned to the neighborhood Thursday evening around 7:45 p.m. But instead of causing more commotion, this time it had a different agenda—rest. Photographer Rafael Torres, who was in the area capturing nature shots, noticed the bear wandering nearby. Keeping about 60 feet away, Torres followed the animal cautiously and was stunned when the bear climbed into a resident’s hammock, nestled in comfortably, and began what appeared to be a peaceful nap.
Unbothered by Torres’ quiet presence, the bear swayed in the hammock for nearly 20 minutes. Around 8:15 p.m., it dismounted the swinging seat and headed back into the woods behind the house, leaving behind a surreal and memorable scene. Torres shared the incident with local NBC affiliate WESH, remarking that it was his first time seeing a bear in that neighborhood. The story and photos quickly gained attention, as encounters between black bears and suburban life become more common across Florida.
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time a black bear has been caught enjoying a hammock. In 2006, a bear dubbed “Famous Amis” became an internet sensation when a video of it lounging in a hammock went viral, racking up over 340,000 views. Another widely shared video from 2013 featured two playful black bear cubs tumbling in and out of a hammock, delighting viewers with their clumsy charm. It seems black bears have a curious fondness for backyard hammocks, especially when they’re in need of some well-earned R&R after a long night of foraging.
