Current:Home > InvestHundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch -Profound Wealth Insights
Hundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch
Chainkeen View
Date:2025-04-09 18:09:50
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! (528)
Related
- Backstage at New York's Jingle Ball with Jimmy Fallon, 'Queer Eye' and Meghan Trainor
- Post Malone, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Megan Thee Stallion, more on Bonnaroo's 2024 lineup
- Nearly a third of Americans expect mortgage rates to fall in 2024
- Mississippi governor says he wants young people to stop leaving the state
- San Francisco names street for Associated Press photographer who captured the iconic Iwo Jima photo
- South Carolina Republican agenda includes energy resilience, gender care, Black history and guns
- Michigan vs Washington highlights: How Wolverines beat Huskies for national championship
- Which was the best national championship team of the CFP era? We ranked all 10.
- Federal Spending Freeze Could Have Widespread Impact on Environment, Emergency Management
- Mississippi governor says he wants young people to stop leaving the state
Ranking
- How to watch new prequel series 'Dexter: Original Sin': Premiere date, cast, streaming
- US Rep. Greg Pence of Indiana, former VP Mike Pence’s older brother, won’t seek reelection
- Earth shattered global heat record in ’23 and it’s flirting with warming limit, European agency says
- Biden courts critical Black voters in South Carolina, decrying white supremacy
- Angelina Jolie nearly fainted making Maria Callas movie: 'My body wasn’t strong enough'
- 'Poor Things' director praises Bruce Springsteen during Golden Globes acceptance speech: Watch
- Kevin Durant addresses Draymond Green's reaction to comments about Jusuf Nurkic incident
- CES 2024 updates: The most interesting news and gadgets from tech’s big show
Recommendation
Paula Abdul settles lawsuit with former 'So You Think You Can Dance' co
Tiger Woods' partnership with Nike is over. Here are 5 iconic ads we'll never forget
Christian Oliver's Ex-Wife Says She “Deeply” Feels Love From Actor and Their Kids After Fatal Plane Crash
Nicole Kidman Was “Struggling” During 2003 Oscars Win After Finalizing Divorce From Tom Cruise
Trump wants to turn the clock on daylight saving time
Driver crashes into White House exterior gate, Secret Service says
Hottest year ever, what can be done? Plenty: more renewables and nuclear, less methane and meat
Michael Penix Jr. overcame injury history, but not Michigan's defense, in CFP title game