Animal Life - Manatees
You may have heard recently that someone, some terrible person (or people), broke the law by even touching a manatee, and scraped TRUMP into the algae on its back. They took advantage of the gentle nature of these animals and performed an atrocious political act.
Manatees are considered endangered/vulnerable (status under debate). They are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978.
The algae finds a manatee's back to be ideal breeding ground, and the manatees receive a sort of sunblock in return. They like to be in warm shallow waters so it is a benefit.
Manatees typically swim solo or with a calf. When seen in a group, it's either for mating or simply because they're all enjoying a good spot in the ocean. They are herbivores, though occasionally a small fish will be eaten from the vegetation.
Manatees are considered slow moving creatures, typically swimming 3-5 miles per hour, but they can reach up to 20 mph in short bursts. When resting, they can stay underwater for about 20 minutes before needing to surface for air.
The above is a live cam - below are highlights from the underwater cam.
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