Manatee Sightings: August 2021

There has been quite a few sightings this summer at Blue Spring State Park, including eight new calves! Enjoy the photos and videos documenting the manatee visitors, and check out our new video on crocodiles, alligators, and manatees in collaboration with Action Miami.

Watch more videos from the manatee season on our Webcam page. Several of the manatees featured are in our Adopt-A-Manatee® program. (All SMC activities conducted under permit # MA791721-5.)

Alligators and crocodiles are known for being fearsome predators in the animal kingdom. Manatees, however, are polar opposites as they aren’t aggressive towards animals. Lucky for them, gators and crocs behave peacefully with their manatee neighbors. Manatees share the same habitat with the crocs and gators of Florida, and they seem to enjoy each other’s company!

 

On May 13, 2021, manatee Annie came to Blue Spring State Park with a little newborn calf in tow. This is Annie’s 5th calf! Please remember to give mothers and calves space and do not approach them or harass them. Calves depend on their mom for 1-2 years before being weaned. (Video © Save the Manatee Club, 2021.
Music: Chris Zabriskie “Prelude No.23”, FreeMusicArchive.org.)

 

This short clip shows how pregnant Annie was when she visited Blue Spring on December 20, 2020. (Video © Save the Manatee Club, 2021.)

 

Manatee mom and calf
A nice photo of another manatee mom and calf pair seen on the webcams at Blue Spring this summer.

 

Margarito the manatee at Blue Spring State Park.
Margarito is seen on June 8th at Blue Spring.

 

Gator the manatee
Gator made a summer visit to Blue Spring on June 7th.

 

Manatee adoptee Lenny stopped by for a short summer visit on June 29, 2021 at Blue Spring State Park! (Video recorded with our above water webcam. ©Save the Manatee Club.)

 

Ann the manatee and her calf
Ann the manatee and her calf were seen on July 12th at Blue Spring by volunteer Jackie Cheers.

 

Lily the manatee at Blue Spring State Park.
Adoptee Lily was also spotted on July 12th.

 

A subadult manatee makes a summer visit and checks out some floating vegetation at Blue Spring on May 15, 2021.

 

Peek-a-boo and her new calf
Peek-a-boo and her new calf on June 17th at Blue Spring.

 

Phyllis the manatee at Blue Spring State Park
Her many scars identify Phyllis, who was sighted on the webcam on June 15th at Blue Spring State Park.

 

Many people see manatees covered in fish on our webcams and ask “What are these fish?” and “How do they affect manatees?” Watch our short video featuring Dr. Missy Gibbs from Stetson University to learn more about armored catfish (Pterygoplichthys disjunctivus) and manatees at Blue Spring. (Video © Save the Manatee Club, 2021. Music: Kevin McLeod “Fretless.” Freemusicarchive.com)

 

Manatees are often hard to see in the water. Here are a few quick tips from our new video on how to spot them. Remember to report sick, injured, orphaned and dead manatees to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-3922. (Video © Save the Manatee Club, 2021. Music: Steve Gruskin)

 

Man Versus Manatee Comic
“Sea Potatoes” from the charming web comic “Man versus Manatee” by Rachel Arnow. See more of Rachel’s manatee comics at mvsm.omnomzom.com or on her Facebook page. She puts out a new comic each “Manatee Monday.”