Florida's springs and manatees

Chapter 1

The geology of Florida's crystal springs

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Chapter 2

Biology of the gentle giant

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Chapter 3

The winter migration sanctuary

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Chapter 4

Protecting the future of Florida's giants

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YOUR GOAL

Master of Florida's springs and manatees

Ch 2 · Biology of the gentle giant

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BETA

dave Crystal Spring Manatees

Jul 21

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dave The challenge of staying warm

Jul 21

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dave How anatomy supports seagrass grazing

Jul 21

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dave The manatee's surprising elephant cousins

Jul 21

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dave How manatees use underwater senses

Jul 21

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dave Florida Manatees

Got no blubber for the winter freeze, (no way!) / Floating in seventy-two degrees! (oh yeah!)

Jul 21

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dave The challenge of staying warm

Jul 21

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Fun Fact

Marching molars: Manatees continuously grow new teeth at the back of their jaws to replace worn-down front teeth.

Jul 21

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dave How anatomy supports seagrass grazing

Jul 21

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Glossary

manatee (noun)
A large, slow-moving aquatic mammal with a rounded tail and a blunt snout that eats plants and lives in warm waters. These massive herbivores migrate to Florida's warm, spring-fed Crystal River every winter to survive the cold.

Jul 21

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Quiz

What are the sensory hairs called that cover a manatee's body to help them detect vibrations?

Jul 21

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Gossip

What is the cutest manatee nickname?

Jul 21

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Quiz

What is the scientific name of the family of marine mammals to which manatees belong?

Jul 21

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Quiz

What unique physical feature do manatees use like a hand to grasp seagrass?

Jul 21

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Quiz

Which land mammal is the closest living evolutionary relative to the manatee?

Jul 21

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Quiz

How do manatee teeth adapt to their sandy diet of seagrasses?

Jul 21

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Quiz

Unlike seals or whales, what crucial insulating layer do manatees lack?

Jul 21

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Quiz

What is the average daily food intake of an adult Florida manatee as a percentage of its body weight?

Jul 21

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Quiz

How often must an active manatee typically surface to breathe air?

Jul 21