Often known as the sea cows, manatees are creatures that can gain massive amount of fat and muscles.
Manatees are slow and peaceful mammals because they are the most gentile creatures people can be in water with. Although named as sea cows, manatees are actually closely related to elephants, as evident from the nails that grows at the end of their flippers. They migrate from one place to another depending on the part of the year.
Manatees prefer warmer waters which is why, West Indian Manatees travel to the Crystal River every year. The video below describes behaviours and nature of Manatees in general.
Facts about Manatees:
- Average life span of a manatee’s is up to 60 years.
- Manatees derive their name from the word ‘manati’ which originated from Taino, a pre-Columbian people of the Caribbean.
- Manatees belong to the Mammalia class and Sirenia order.
- Stellar sea cows are extinct mammals that were once part of the manatee family. Extensive hunting pushed them to the point of extinction in 1768.
- Manatees can grow to lengths of 13 feet and more. They usually weigh around 1 100 pounds.
- Contrary to their heavy and bulky body, manatees are found to migrate from one place to another depending on the season.
- Being mammals, manatees surface the water every three to four minutes to take air. While resting, this goes up to 20 minutes.
- Manatees are very gentle yet slow creatures. Astonishingly, they can reach speeds of 20 miles per hour.
Manatees at Blue Spring State Park
Located in the Volusia County, Blue Spring State Park is a park just west of Orange city, Florida. What was initially used as an excellent site for growing varieties of fruits and vegetation became part of the Florida department of Environmental Protection in 1972.
This marked the beginning of the Manatee Protection Program. With the temperature of the spring run being around a moderate 72 0F, hundreds of West Indian Manatee seeks refuge into the region of Blue Spring State Park. The State Park covers a total area of 2 600 acres, including the largest spring on the St. Johns River. Over the past few decades, the park has seen itself develop into a popular tourist destination providing a wide range of adventurous activities such as fishing, camping, kayaking and hiking.
There are plenty of other water related activities such as snorkeling, scuba diving and boating. But the state puts all such activities to a halt from mid-November to march. This comes in action regarding the winter migratory trial that leads manatees to this state park. With an intention of amusing viewers and animal enthusiasts, webcams have been placed around several locations along the riverside to catch a glimpse of these slow yet beautiful mammals.
Further, manatees are endangered species, which is why, these webcams are streamed online; allowing thousands of viewers from around the globe to look at them and learn more about their current status. This way, researchers hope to educate people about the importance of a balanced ecosystem and the contribution they can make to conserve and protect manatees.
View Manatees at Blue Spring State Park web cam.
Manatees in Homosassa, Florida
As of 2010 the population of Homosassa was around 2 600. The city is located in Florida and covers a total area of 21.7 km2. Despite its small size, Homosassa displays a wide variety of wildlife and vegetation.
This can be held the reason why the city has such an impressive wildlife park and rehabilitation facility. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park is stated to be one of the best places in the state to view manatees. Apart from manatees, visitors are in for a few more wonderful wildlife mammals such as Bobcats, White-tailed deer, Black bears and River otters.
The park is also home to the star hippopotamus; Lu, that is known for its numerous performances in movies for the past 40 years. Manatees visit this part of the state more frequently than others because of their well-maintained springs and warm waters. Visitors have plenty of viewing points to take a good look of the group of manatees that leisurely spend time swimming around the park. Floating observatory platforms allow visitors to directly interact with manatees and feed them.
This way they get the opportunity to be learning more about these flabby creatures. The park also has an underwater viewing platform, popularly called the fish bowl, which is placed right next to the large spring from which the Homosassa River originates. This serves to the perfect spot to view and taking pictures of manatees and other species of fishes.
View Manatees in Homosassa web cam.
Manatees in South Florida Museum
Located in Bradenton, the Florida Museum is known for its exquisite collection of Florida’s rich cultural and natural history. The museum has exhibits from the prehistoric times till the present date. This location consists of a few more buildings of touristic value such as Bishop Planetarium and the Parker Manatee Aquarium.
Snooty, the oldest manatee alive in captive is put on display in the aquarium. The aquarium is also part of Florida’s manatee rehabilitation network that works for preservation and conversion of manatees. Snooty is put for display for all viewers, both direct and online. Webcams located around the tank enables users from around the globe to have a good look at the oldest manatee in the world.
View Manatees in South Florida Museum web cam.