West Indian manatee mother and baby, Three Sisters Spring, Crystal River, Florida
© Karine Aigner/Tandem Stills + Motio
Sirens or sea cows?. West Indian manatees, Crystal River
Have you ever come across a manatee? These friendly aquatic mammals are herbivores, grazing primarily on seagrasses and aquatic vegetation. Manatees have a fascinating history that spans millions of years. They are closely related to elephants and can be traced back to the Eocene era (about 56 to 33.9 million years ago). These slow-moving sea cows have, over time, adapted to life in warm, coastal waters.
Known for their unique whiskered faces and padded tails, these sleepy mammals have always been welcoming towards humans. Sadly, they have been exposed to various threats, such as habitat loss and boat collisions. So, if you visit Crystal River and come across a West Indian manatee, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate them, but from a distance.
Related Images
Volcán Alcedo giant tortoises, Isabela Island, Galápagos, Ecuador
Green sea turtle diving, Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Australia
A male yellow-bellied slider
Giant tortoises on Alcedo Volcano in the Galapagos Islands
Western box turtle
Green sea turtle, San Diego, California
A green sea turtle swims in the Pacific Ocean near the French overseas territory of New Caledonia
Hawksbill sea turtle swimming near Akajima, Okinawa, Japan
Bing Today Images
