Current:Home > ContactHundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch -FinanceMind
Hundreds of manatees huddle together for warmth at Three Sisters Springs in Florida: Watch
View
Date:2025-04-18 02:58:23
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! (5)
Related
- McConnell absent from Senate on Thursday as he recovers from fall in Capitol
- More thunderstorms expected Tuesday after storms clobber Midwest, tornado confirmed
- Bengals' Tee Higgins only franchised player of 2024 to not get extension. What's next?
- Natalie Portman Breaks Silence on Benjamin Millepied Divorce
- Costco membership growth 'robust,' even amid fee increase: What to know about earnings release
- Hamas says Gaza cease-fire talks haven't paused and claims military chief survived Israeli strike
- CONMEBOL blames Hard Rock Stadium for unruly fans, ugly scenes before Copa America final
- Take a dip in dirty water? Here's how to tell if it's safe to swim
- $73.5M beach replenishment project starts in January at Jersey Shore
- What time does 'Big Brother' start? Season 26 premiere date, cast, where to watch
Ranking
- Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
- Swap Sugary Drinks for a 33% Discount on Poppi Prebiotic Soda Before Amazon Prime Day 2024 Ends
- Get 35% Off the Eyelash Serum Recommended by Luann de Lesseps, Lala Kent, Paige DeSorbo & More Celebs
- Hall of Fame RB Terrell Davis says he was placed in handcuffs on United Airlines flight
- Woman dies after Singapore family of 3 gets into accident in Taiwan
- JoJo Siwa Reveals Her Home Was Swatted Again
- Kathie Lee Gifford reveals she's recovering from 'painful' hip replacement surgery
- Trump’s escape from disaster by mere inches reveals a tiny margin with seismic impact
Recommendation
A Mississippi company is sentenced for mislabeling cheap seafood as premium local fish
Jack Black 'blindsided' by Kyle Gass' Trump shooting comment, ends Tenacious D tour
Messi 'doing well' after Copa America ankle injury, says he'll return 'hopefully soon'
Shop Amazon Prime Day's Back to School Deals: Classroom & Dorm Essentials for Every College Student
Brianna LaPaglia Reveals The Meaning Behind Her "Chickenfry" Nickname
Soros’ Open Society Foundations say their restructuring is complete and pledge $400M for green jobs
New York county’s latest trans athlete ban draws lawsuits from attorney general, civil rights group
New search launched for body of woman kidnapped, killed 54 years ago after being mistaken for Rupert Murdoch's wife