Current:Home > NewsHundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch -Thrive Success Strategies
Hundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch
View
Date:2025-04-16 07:06:33
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! (626)
Related
- Israel lets Palestinians go back to northern Gaza for first time in over a year as cease
- 3 stocks that could be big winners if Kamala Harris wins but the GOP controls Congress
- Alaska voters deciding a hard-fought race for the state’s only U.S. House seat, election issues
- Who is Steve Kornacki? What to know about MSNBC anchor breaking down election results
- 'Vanderpump Rules' star DJ James Kennedy arrested on domestic violence charges
- Home Depot founder Bernard Marcus, Trump supporter and Republican megadonor, has died
- Democrats hope to flip a reliably Republican Louisiana congressional seat with new boundaries
- Pete Davidson, Khloe Kardashian and More Stars Who Have Had Tattoos Removed
- 'Malcolm in the Middle’ to return with new episodes featuring Frankie Muniz
- Toss-up congressional races in liberal California could determine House control
Ranking
- What to know about Tuesday’s US House primaries to replace Matt Gaetz and Mike Waltz
- GOP tries to break Connecticut Democrats’ winning streak in US House races
- A Guide to JD Vance's Family: The Vice Presidential Candidate's Wife, Kids, Mamaw and More
- Za'Darius Smith trade winners, losers: Lions land Aidan Hutchinson replacement
- Man can't find second winning lottery ticket, sues over $394 million jackpot, lawsuit says
- Tim Walz’s Family Guide: Meet the Family of Kamala Harris’ Running Mate
- Missouri voters to decide whether to legalize abortion in a state with a near-total ban
- TGI Fridays bankruptcy: Are more locations closing? Here’s what we know so far
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Florida ballot measures would legalize marijuana and protect abortion rights
'Yellowstone' star Luke Grimes on adapting to country culture
Kentucky voters to decide fate of school choice ballot measure
Selena Gomez engaged to Benny Blanco after 1 year together: 'Forever begins now'
Competitive Virginia races could play a critical role in the battle for Congress
Patrick Mahomes survives injury scare in Chiefs' overtime win vs. Buccaneers
Republicans hope to retain 3 open Indiana House seats and target another long held by Democrats