A Few Manatees Facts You May Find Interesting.

Think you know all about Manatees? Learn some more with CRUISE COCOA’s list of some interesting manatee facts. We would like to introduce you to the rich history, culture, environment, and the wildlife that inhabits our beautiful state of FLORIDA. 

Mermaids?

Back in history when sailors were just starting to come to North America and explore our shorelines, tales would be sent back to the old world about a mythical creature that could lure men to the depths of the ocean. Mermaids were seen disappearing just below the water’s surface. These long voyages often left the men tired and lonely. The rum let the imagination run wild. Unfortunately, it wasn’t a siren calling them below, but a much more docile creature, The Manatee. 

These sea cows are often mistaken for a seal-like animal, but in truth they are a closer relation to the elephant. They can use their lip pads individually in the same manner that the elephant uses its trunk to grab things with.

They have a large round body, beaver shaped tail that creates the “manatee footprint” on the top of the water as they swim along looking for sea grasses. Manatees can weigh between 1000-3500 lbs and can eat between 4% and 20% of their body weight every day.

Another interesting manatee fact, they have what is known as a moving mandible. New molars pop up in the back and slowly move forward, then their 2 front teeth fall out.

Fitter than we think

Contrary to popular belief they do not have any body fat. During the winter months you can see them all huddled together for warmth. They will pick a shallow canal where the sun can reach the bottom, near a turbine runoff, or they will head into the Spring system of Florida, which is a constant 72 degrees all year round.

They like their water temperatures to be above 70 degrees. Below that they can get “cold burns”, hypothermia and even death. During the warm summer months, they will spread out across the waterways. They can easily move from freshwater, to brackish water, like the Indian River Lagoon, and salt water.

A Family Affair

Manatees aren’t as social as their neighborhood dolphins. Unless it is a mother and calf or mating herd, they like to travel looking for food and a nice napping location alone. Dolphins only have 1 calf at a time whereas manatees can have twins. After mating is over the males will continue their way leaving the mom and babies.

The babies will stay in the family unit for 2 years before going off on their own adventures.

If you enjoyed these manatee facts. come learn more about them and the other Florida wildlife. Come join us at CRUISE COCOA and let our captains share our local knowledge.