Current:Home > ContactHundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch -Dynamic Wealth Solutions
Hundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch
PredictIQ View
Date:2025-04-07 04:08:41
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! (471)
Related
- Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
- George Carlin estate sues over fake comedy special purportedly generated by AI
- World's first rhino IVF pregnancy could save species that has only 2 living animals remaining
- Scammers hacked doctors prescription accounts to get bonanza of illegal pills, prosecutors say
- Who's hosting 'Saturday Night Live' tonight? Musical guest, how to watch Dec. 14 episode
- Kim Kardashian Reveals If Her Kids Will Take Over Her Beauty Empire
- Jannik Sinner knocks out 10-time champ Novak Djokovic in Australian Open semifinals
- Kim Kardashian Reveals If Her Kids Will Take Over Her Beauty Empire
- Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
- Britain’s post-Brexit trade talks with Canada break down as they disagree over beef and cheese
Ranking
- Taylor Swift makes surprise visit to Kansas City children’s hospital
- Houthis, defying U.S. strikes, attempt another attack on U.S.-owned commercial ship
- CIA Director William Burns to travel to Europe for fourth round of Gaza hostage talks
- Many Costa Ricans welcome court ruling that they don’t have to use their father’s surname first
- Federal court filings allege official committed perjury in lawsuit tied to Louisiana grain terminal
- Family of elderly woman killed by alligator in Florida sues retirement community
- Ukrainian-born Miss Japan rekindles an old question: What does it mean to be Japanese?
- King Charles admitted to London hospital for prostate treatment, palace says
Recommendation
Macy's says employee who allegedly hid $150 million in expenses had no major 'impact'
NJ Transit scraps plan for gas-fired backup power plant, heartening environmental justice advocates
NYPD raids, shuts down 6 alleged brothels posing as massage parlors, Mayor Adams says
Why Sharon Stone Says It's Stupid for People to Be Ashamed of Aging
Where will Elmo go? HBO moves away from 'Sesame Street'
King Charles III Visits Kate Middleton as He Undergoes Procedure at Same Hospital
General Hospital Actor Tyler Christopher's Official Cause of Death Revealed
3 people found dead inside house in Minneapolis suburb of Coon Rapids after 911 call