Kid-Friendly Fridays: Hooray for Manatees!
The New York Times recently reported that manatees have retained endangered status in Florida. The ruling means that these gentle giants, which have been on the state’s endangered list since 1979, will remain under protected status. It is a win for those working to help keep these creatures protected and, of course, for the manatees.
So in recognition of the recent manatee news here’s a little about these national treasures with kid-friendly links that anyone can use.
Manatees are large, plant-eating marine mammals who include among their closest living relatives the elephant and the aardvark!
Manatee Facts (from Nat’l Geo):
- Manatees can be as long as 13 feet
- They can weigh up to 1300 lbs
- Manatees can swim up to 15 MPH
- But usually swim around 3-5 MPH
- They are mammals and breathe air
- Manatees can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes
- The West Indian Manatee, the one in Florida, can live up to 60-70 years
A survey by biologists in 2007 recorded just 2,800 manatees in Florida waters, but that is an increase of almost double since 1991.
The increase in population of the Florida manatee is the result of diligent efforts to protect these quiet creatures.
Over thirty years ago in 1971, Jacques Cousteau filmed the documentary “The Forgotten Mermaids” to help educate the public about the plight of the Florida manatee and the threats to their survival, mostly humans and motorboats.
While manatees spend warmer months at sea, they move inland into shallow, warmer waters from October to March. In Florida in winter, manatees are found in large concentration at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, which was established in 1983. The Manatee Rehabilitation Partnership, a group of local and national organizations, helps rescue sick or injured Florida manatees, nurture them back to health and return them to the wild.
Learn more:
- Save the Manatee Club
- Manatees.net
- Manatees and Dugongs at UNEP
- Manatees at National Geographic Kids
- Manatee Timeline at Florida Fish and Wildlife
- Manatee Sirenia Project USGS
If you live or are planning to visit Florida in January, it’s Manatee Awareness Month at Manatee Springs State Park! Lots of events all about manatees and the efforts to protect them.