18 Reasons Manatees Are One of Nature's Best Kept Secrets
by N/A, 10 years ago |
3 min read
Sea cows can be considered to be a pretty boring animal. Many people think they don't do much beyond float around, but they're really cute amazing (and cute). Celebrate National Manatee Appreciation Day and learn a thing or two.Â
For information about these awesome animals, check out SavetheManatee.org.
1. The average manatee is 9 feet long and weighs 800-1,200 pounds.
2. They can put your high school swimming record to shame.
3. Fresh water manatees sometimes have algae growing on their backs. Salt water manatees occasionally have barnacles growing on them.
4. They have adorable faces.
5. They're live in a matriarchal society, but don't form permanent pair bonds.
6. They like to play Hide and Seek.
7. And are SO cute as babies.
8. Their whiskers active sensory nerves that connect right to their brains. They're exact purpose is still being researched.
9. Many people think that they have blowholes but they actually have nasal valves very similar to a seal.
10. Orphaned and rescued manatees are often bottle fed as infants.
11. How can that not bring a smile to your face?
12. In captivity, they can live to be 60 years old.
13. In the wild, they're susceptible to injuries from boats and oftentimes have scars along their backs. Researchers use those to identify them.
14. They're very social with swimmers and divers. If you're lucky, you might get a little hug.
15. Or even a kiss.
16. They even pop up to say hello every once in a while.
17. Newborn calves are about 47 inches long and weigh up to 60 pounds.
18. How cute is this little nugget?
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Do not show me this again