Manatee Appreciation Day is an annual opportunity celebrated on the last Wednesday of March to raise awareness for imperiled manatees and their aquatic habitat. Whether through education, supporting conservation and outreach initiatives, or spreading awareness, Manatee Appreciation Day is the perfect time to show your love and commitment to safeguarding these incredible aquatic mammals for today and future generations.
Celebrate the day with us by learning more about manatees, attending our webinar, participating in fun activities, and following along with more fun on social media!
Learn About Manatees
Get the facts: use our flip cards below to check your knowledge and learn more about manatees! To learn even more, our Facts page has a wealth of information all about these gentle giants to help you become a manatee trivia expert.
What aquatic environments do manatees typically inhabit?
Manatees can be found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas—particularly where seagrass beds or freshwater vegetation flourish.
Why do manatees come to springs in the winter?
For the warm 72-degree water. They can not tolerate water temperatures below 68°F for prolonged periods of time.
How often do manatees surface to breathe?
When manatees are using a great deal of energy, they may surface to breathe as often as every 30 seconds. When resting, manatees have been known to stay submerged for up to 20 minutes.
What is a group of manatees called?
An aggregation! Manatees gather for common habitat requirements like warm water, fresh water, and food sources.
How long are newborn manatee calves, and how much do they weigh?
Most newborn calves are about 47 inches (120 centimeters) long and weigh 66 pounds (30 kilograms).
What do manatees eat?
A variety of submerged, emergent, and floating plants in both fresh and saltwater environments.
Which federal and state laws protect West Indian manatees in the United States?
West Indian manatees in the United States are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal.
West Indian manatees are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978.
What are the manatee’s closest living land relatives?
Manatees share a common ancestor with the elephant, hyrax, and aardvark.
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