cgrissett's Identifications

This manatee was spotted on the Alafia river around 11:45am (3.29.2020). It was the largest manatee I've ever seen, coming in around 10-12 feet. I was shocked by its size, the pictures don't do it justice! It was longer than the kayaks that my family was using. There is a picture included that shows this comparison. This manatee was alone and it had many scars on its back (most likely from a boat). Manatees migrate to Florida's warm waters during winter, according to "https://www.savethemanatee.org/manatees/migration/". They can survive in fresh, brackish, and salt water as these are all types of water they encounter upon migration. According to "https://www.livescience.com/53164-animal-sex-manatees.html", manatees have a specific mating ritual. The females secrete a scent that draws herds of male manatees towards them. For 2-4 weeks, they mate. Females often have many males that crowd around them so only the most aggressive succeed. Their reproductive structures are penis and vagina.