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| Keywords: usgs science manatees manatee florida endangered fws crystalriver smiling smile biology underwater water animal sea We couldn't help but share this photo of a manatee from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. USGS scientists conduct research that's essential for the recovery of the endangered West Indian manatee, Florida’s state mammal. The average adult manatee is about 10 feet long and weighs between 1,500 and 2,200 pounds; if you look at a manatee’s nails on its flipper, you can tell the marine mammal is distantly related to elephants. Manatees live in fresh, brackish and marine aquatic habitats. These gentle plant-eaters can’t survive for extended periods in water colder than about 63°F, and prefer temperatures warmer than 72°F. Thus, during late fall and winter, manatees congregate in warm waters, such as this manatee taking refuge in Three Sisters Springs at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Manatees are an endangered species; major threats to their well-being are human activities: boat-related injuries and deaths, entanglement in fishing gear and discarded line, and habitat loss or degradation. Learn more at on.doi.gov/manatees. Photo credit: Nick Aumen, USGS. We couldn't help but share this photo of a manatee from the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Florida. USGS scientists conduct research that's essential for the recovery of the endangered West Indian manatee, Florida’s state mammal. The average adult manatee is about 10 feet long and weighs between 1,500 and 2,200 pounds; if you look at a manatee’s nails on its flipper, you can tell the marine mammal is distantly related to elephants. Manatees live in fresh, brackish and marine aquatic habitats. These gentle plant-eaters can’t survive for extended periods in water colder than about 63°F, and prefer temperatures warmer than 72°F. Thus, during late fall and winter, manatees congregate in warm waters, such as this manatee taking refuge in Three Sisters Springs at the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. Manatees are an endangered species; major threats to their well-being are human activities: boat-related injuries and deaths, entanglement in fishing gear and discarded line, and habitat loss or degradation. Learn more at on.doi.gov/manatees. Photo credit: Nick Aumen, USGS. | ||||
