Cold Manatees

Someone may enjoy this.... Blue Springs is about 15 miles from where I live.
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Wow! 663 manatees! Thanks for the link

Great 

Why do you call them cold manatees ?

Very cool

Right answer, Andreas 

I tried the live camera, thought it wasn't working cos the screen stayed black, then realised it's night there right now I'll have to come back once the sun's reached Florida!

The article refers to them as 'floating potatoes'

Marvellous.

Very interesting!

That's amazing. That is one reason I wouldn't mind visiting Florida someday is to see those amazing animals!

All the manatees are feeling the chill and clustering there because we're having a very cold (for here) spell- the springs emerge from the ground at a constant 22* which is fine by them. The temps lately have been falling as cold as 5*-10*, and they suffer and may die when the water temp starts dropping below say 18*. They find springs and warm effluent power plant outflows in the winter cold snaps, and congregate- otherwise they disperse, they don't travel in herds. This group is so large, and the native eelgrass they eat have been harmed by pollution so aren't so plentiful, that they are trying to supplement feed them here. Not many of them recognize the lettuce as a food source though.

Thank you for the link and explanations Pipsxich!

Pray for the manatees tonight... going down below freezing, a rather rare occurrence here. First time in several years. SeaWorld always has its hands full after such a cold snap rescuing the ones who get cold stress.

P.s. and the (invasive, but still) iguanas further south, who fall from the trees on nights like this. People have actually been injured by cold stunned iguanas falling on them unexpectedly.
My house is currently full of Cuban sagrei anoles that were in the many many plants I had to bring in. Fortunately I love lizards. The native Carolina anoles will have a good few months with the reduced competition from the Cubans.

Oh no! I hope the manatees will be able to manage the cold temps... your house meanwhile sounds like fun! Full of so many small friends. :)

At the moment I'm glad I don't have a cat- too small for Queenie, so they are quite safe.

Most of my house is looking like this at the moment.
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It has its upsides; despite my husband being a heavy smoker who refuses to go outside, things are smelling pretty good because the dining room table is covered in these and friends.
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Wow! the large group of Manatees is spectacular.