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Although manatee breeding and birth may occur at any time during the year, there appears to be a broad spring-summer calving peak. When they are born, manatee calves are about 120 centimeters (about 47 inches) long and weigh 30 kilograms (66 pounds). Mothers nurse their young for one to two years, so a calf may remain dependent on its mother during that time. Males assume no reponsibility for raising the calf. Here are photos of three newborn calves that were sighted recently. Two of the mom and calf pairs were Florida manatees seen at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, Florida, and at Blue Spring State Park in Orange City, Florida. The Blue Spring mom is Phyllis from Save the Manatee Club's Adopt-A-Manatee program. The last pair are Antillean manatees that are part of a captive breeding program near Cancun, Mexico. |
| (Photo by Dr. Roberto Sanchez.) | |
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Photos can only be used with permission. Contact education@savethemanatee.org for more information.