Organizations aim to protect vulnerable manatees and their aquatic habitat for future generations to share. For this reason, we celebrate these odd-looking gentle beasts and raise awareness about them on MANATEE Appreciation Day on the Last Wednesday in March.
The manatee is a large marine mammal with a head shaped like an egg, flippers, and a wide flat tail. Manatees are also known as sea cows which sorta fits because of how large and cow-like they are, not to mention their slow, lollygagging nature.
However, despite this, they are closely related to the elephant. And if their appearance suggests being cumbersome, they are quite the opposite. They can swim very quickly and are most graceful in the water.
Manatees are herbivores which means they eat algae. Algae will typically grow on their skin as well. They also love seagrasses when at sea, but prefer freshwater vegetation when settling to inland rivers.
Scientists think manatees evolved from four-legged land mammals more than 60 million years ago. Even the Amazonian manatee has paddle-like flippers with vestigial toenails. What this means is they no longer have a use for them – a remnant of the claws they had when they lived on land. The Amazon species name inunguis is Latin meaning “without nails”.
Manatees range in size from 8 to 13 feet (2.4 to 4 meters) and can weigh anywhere from 440 to 1300 lbs (200 to 590 kg). Manatees usually swim about 5 mph (8 km/h), but they can swim up to 15 mph (24 km/h) in short bursts when they feel the need … the need for speed.
Typically, manatees stay in the rivers, seas, and oceans along the coast of many countries. There are three species of manatee:
Their range is estimated to be around 2.7 million square mi (7 million square km), according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).
While manatees live in saltwater, they prefer freshwater for drinking all the while staying in warm climates because they lack blubber to keep them warm.
Manatees don’t have any natural predators except maybe humans accidentally. However, like many of the most remarkable and magnificent animals on our planet, these fascinating animals are threatened. Some in Africa are downright endangered with fewer than 10,000 left.
In the waters around West Africa, they’re still being poached for their hide and meat, despite being illegal to hunt manatees.
Even when they’re not being targeted, many around the Amazon basin and Western Africa often get caught in fishermen trawlers’ nets. Waterfront real estate development will impact their survival through loss of habitat and make them susceptible to collisions with speedboats who probably don’t know they’re present which is just sad.
And to top it all off, who likes swimming through toxic red tide?
Not sure how to LOVE the day? We’ve got a few interesting ideas to consider that may help get you started.
Here are some activities that you can do on MANATEE Appreciation Day!
Do some research on manatees. You can visit the Save the Manatee Club to learn more about manatees. Manatees are vulnerable and they need our protection. Visiting this manatee organization is one major step in playing an active role in helping these beautiful and sweet animals. The USGS Sirenia Project even conducts long-term and thorough studies of the West Indian manatee.
Only use manatee-friendly eco tours when visiting these majestic animals. Become part of the Manatee Sighting Network. Be a part of the awareness for manatees. And if you’re coming to Florida, why not fly Frontier Airlines. Why? Because they’re the only airline that has a MANATEE on two of their planes – Crystal & Hugh!
If going it on your own, make sure to consult organizations like the Florida Manatee Program which can give you a boater’s guide on where to see manatees and how to avoid collisions.
Give funds to manatee conservation programs. Anytime you’re within a waterway and spot one, you can then contact savethemanatee.org to help researchers track them. They’re always looking for volunteers to help and there are many ways you can take initiative in helping with manatee survival. You can even “adopt” a real manatee that helps to fund their continued conservation.
Use social media posts with the hashtags #ManateeAppreciationDay, #Manatees, #SeaCow, #AnimalHolidays, #MarchHolidays, #Holiday, #FindADayToLOVE, #iHEARTdays to support the importance of celebrating, promoting, and sharing with the world why you ❤️ MANATEE Appreciation Day.
Dutch post-impressionist painter responsible for 2100 pieces of art including 860 oil paintings and best known for painting “Starry Night” while visiting France. Van Gogh thought nighttime was much more active and colorful than the day. He would line his hat with candles so he could see what he was painting. Born 1853.
VINCENT VAN GOGH Quote
“Great things are done by a series of small things brought together.”
American Triple Crown Thoroughbred champion also known as “Big Red” is considered to be the greatest racehorse of all time and holds the fastest record for the Kentucky Derby. Born 1970.
SECRETARIAT Quote
Neigh – Whinny – Ahhhhiiiiiihhhhahaahha … bruhhhh!
British singer-songwriter widely considered one of the greatest guitarists of all time. Best known for songs like “Layla” and “Tears in Heaven”. His nickname is “Slowhand”. Born 1945.
ERIC CLAPTON Quote
“One of the most beneficial things I’ve ever learned is how to keep my mouth shut.”
Year | Date | Day of the Week |
---|---|---|
2023 | March 29 | Wednesday |
2024 | March 27 | Wednesday |
2025 | March 26 | Wednesday |
2026 | March 25 | Wednesday |
2027 | March 31 | Wednesday |
It brings a spotlight to these lovable creatures. They are surprisingly playful and agile. Manatees love to amuse themselves and others by rolling over upside down as if they weigh nothing at all! So CUTE.
MANATEE Appreciation Day is a great time to bring understanding & awareness among the public about these seemingly peculiar creatures. Even though manatees are endangered, they continue to be killed by poachers for their meat and hides. And perhaps more of you will take notice when operating boat craft around known manatee habitats.
If you didn’t already mistake a manatee for a mermaid, kind of like the early seafaring men who first arrived in the Americas did, judging by their “hands” and “tail”. Then leave iHEARTdays knowing that manatees are devoted mothers who are pregnant for an entire year and remain years later caring for, nurturing, and protecting their baby calves who are born underwater. The mother even helps the baby manatee reach the surface for air and in its first hour can already swim on its own. Bravo. 👋
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