Manatee Appreciation Day 2016: 5 Facts About The Critters

BRADENTON, FL — While some might argue Floridians appreciate manatees every day of the year, March 30 is a special day set aside for the gentle giants.

With Manatee Appreciation Day’s March 30th arrival, we thought it would be fun to share a few facts about these creatures that call the Sunshine State home. Here are five facts about sea cows to share with your friends:

1. Florida has a native manatee population that was estimated at 6,250 during a recent count conducted by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
2. Adult manatees are typically between 9 and 10 feet in length and can weigh around 1,000 pounds. They can get bigger though – much bigger. FWC says they can measure up to 13 feet and may weigh in at 3,500 pounds
3. Manatees are plant eaters and spend about eight hours a day chomping on seagrasses and other plants.
4. Manatees are not territorial animals and are somewhat solitary in their behavior. That said, the critters are known to congregate together in warm waters when the temperatures drop. When that happens, the gatherings are called “aggregations,” according to the Save the Manatee Club.
5. Bradenton is home to a world-record breaking manatee. Snooty was named the Oldest Manatee in Captivity by Guinness World Records in 2015. The critter, who lives at the South Florida Museum’s Parker Manatee Aquarium, turned 67 last July.

Manatee lovers who want to help protect the critters in the wild can learn more about doing so by visit the Save the Manatee Club online. FWC also has a ton of information about manatees on its website.

Can’t read enough about manatees? Check out these stories:

• Florida Manatee Count Numbers Rise
• Fed Pitch Downgraded Manatee Protection
• Watch: Manatees Parade Into Three Sisters Springs
• Snooty Breaks World Record

Photo courtesy of the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission