Current:Home > MarketsHundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch -Wealthify
Hundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch
View
Date:2025-04-12 18:21:02
While the rest of the country may have laughed at Florida for being cold in 50-degree weather, manatees were cozying up to each other to escape the chilly waters.
A video from the Southwest Florida Water Management District posted on Friday shows hundreds of manatees speckling the shoreline of the Three Sisters Springs, located north of Tampa.
That shoreline was recently renovated to restore the habitat, which is critical for manatees seeking the warm waters from the spring, according to a post on the restoration project by the organization.
Three Sisters Springs is part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, the only national wildlife refuge in the U.S. dedicated to protecting manatees.
Manatees in Florida:Viral video of manatee's living conditions feels like a 'gut punch,' sparks relocation from Florida facility
Why do manatees huddle together?
According to a post by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service, aquatic mammals don't get heat from being so close together, but rather they are all trying to fit in the small springs where the water is warmer.
While the beloved sea cows may look cute all crowded together, that means they don't cuddle so much as huddle close to shore.
Manatees, native to Florida, deemed a threatened species
The Florida manatee is a large, gray aquatic mammal native to the region. They typically grow to be nine to 10 feet long and weigh approximately 1,000 pounds.
The Florida manatee was classified as an endangered species before its population reached more than 7,500 and it was reclassified as "threatened," meaning it still could become an endangered species in the near future.
Collisions with boats and loss of habitats that provide warm waters, like the one at Crystal River, threaten the manatee population. Many manatees are also struggling to find food.
"The loss of warm water refuges is seen as a serious long-term threat to the continued existence of the manatee," according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. "Due to the inability to regulate their body temperature (thermoregulate) in cold water, cold stress is a serious threat to the manatee."
The big, blobby creatures are plant-eaters, often feeding on seagrass that has earned them the nickname, "sea cows."
Contributing: Jim Waymer, Florida Today
veryGood! (4422)
Related
- Illinois governor calls for resignation of sheriff whose deputy fatally shot Black woman in her home
- Packers vs. Giants Monday Night Football live updates: Odds, predictions, how to watch
- Denver man sentenced to 40 years in beating death of 9-month-old girl
- Myanmar’s military government says China brokered peace talks to de-escalate fighting in northeast
- Immigration issues sorted, Guatemala runner Luis Grijalva can now focus solely on sports
- Man filmed wielding folding chair in riverfront brawl pleads guilty to misdemeanor
- Supreme Court declines challenge to Washington state's conversion therapy ban for minors
- 2 Broke Girls' Kat Dennings Marries Andrew W.K. After Almost 3 Years of Dating
- US appeals court rejects Nasdaq’s diversity rules for company boards
- Hong Kong leader praises election turnout as voter numbers hit record low
Ranking
- Sam Taylor
- Man charged with terrorism over a fire at South African Parliament is declared unfit to stand trial
- Iraq scrambles to contain fighting between US troops and Iran-backed groups, fearing Gaza spillover
- Bronny James makes college basketball debut for USC after cardiac arrest
- The GOP and Kansas’ Democratic governor ousted targeted lawmakers in the state’s primary
- Ciara Gives Birth, Welcomes Baby With Husband Russell
- Israel continues attacks across Gaza as hopes for cease-fire fade
- Air Force disciplines 15 as IG finds that security failures led to massive classified documents leak
Recommendation
Sarah J. Maas books explained: How to read 'ACOTAR,' 'Throne of Glass' in order.
War-wracked Myanmar is now the world’s top opium producer, surpassing Afghanistan, says UN agency
SmileDirectClub shuts down months after filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy protection
Thousands of demonstrators from Europe expected in Brussels to protest austerity measures in the EU
Krispy Kreme offers a free dozen Grinch green doughnuts: When to get the deal
Man imprisoned as teen for flower shop killing is released after judge throws out his conviction
Suspect in Montana vehicle assault said religious group she targeted was being racist, witness says
Golden Globes announce 2024 nominations. See the full list of nominees.