After lunch we took a ride to a spot where the discharge from a power plant causes the water to always be at about 80 degrees. Because the water is so warm it is a gathering spot for the Florida Manatees. The Florida manatee, Florida’s state marine mammal, is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. They are actually so ugly that they are cute.
The Manatees breath by sticking their nose out of the water. Their nose is like a short elephant nose.
This shows the temperature of the water. about 80 degrees. Manatees love warm water.
I hope you can see all the Manatees under the surface of the water. There were several hundred Manatees hanging around the power plant. It was so interesting.
This Manatee weights between 1,500 and 1,800 pounds. Look at all the barnacles on him!!
3 comments:
Awesome - I learned something new, I had no idea they were related to elephants! Cool info!
It is pretty bad that you move so little that a barnicle finds a home on you.
That has encouraged me to go get on the tredmill. Wait...I have a few barnicles to knock off my butt first.
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