THE MANATEE OCEAN SCHOOL

Miss Molly shared, “I have a few more fun and important manatee facts to share with you before telling you about our field trip. Each month we will learn more about our ocean friends so you will know how to interact and play with them safely. It may take us years and years to discover and learn about each species, but I think this knowledge will open our eyes and hearts to a world few know about. It is my sincere hope that you will share these facts with others. Then as they learn about the special needs of each creature, they may be more thoughtful when visiting our ocean home. Humans must understand this is our only home and we can’t just pick up and move across the world to make a new home! “We manatees live in shallow saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas. We also love to venture into warm, calm, shallow estuaries and rivers. But as I’ve told you before, we cannot live in cold water. Manatees need a steady temperature of 70 degrees Fahrenheit or above; any lower than 68 degrees and we start becoming stressed and can fall ill. “Many of my family members here in Florida became sick a few years ago because power plants were warming the water and then when the plants were shut down the temperature dropped—and dropped quickly. We simply had no warning. The water temperature dropped below 68 degrees Fahrenheit so quickly that many of my beloved manatee friends did not survive. Now rules are in place ordering that before a power plant is shut down, the manatees must be rounded up and moved to a warmer location. “One fact about manatees that is not well known,” Miss Molly continued, “is that we dislike drinking saltwater. That is why we travel close to rivers and bays that have freshwater. We will even drink freshwater from a running hose.” Miss Molly chuckled as she explained, “Mikie is pretty darned proud of his ability to hold his breath underwater. The longest he has held it is 17 minutes. Some manatees can hold their breath for over 20 minutes.” Then she went on, “How many of you students believe in the tooth fairy? Did you know that manatees’ teeth continue to fall out and are replaced by brand new ones all their lives? We keep the tooth fairy mighty busy! “My manatee friends are all pretty slow moving and shy and although we might not be found in groups, we’re not at all aggressive. Heck, we don’t like to argue! We are so slow moving we can even grow algae on our backs. It is an amazing natural sunscreen that Mother Nature provides to protect us from too much sunlight.” Miss Molly went on to say, “We can make noises and communicate by whistling and making chirping and squealing sounds. “If we can live out our lives without harm, our life span is 50 to 60 years. Unfortunately, few manatees die from old age. Just as is the case for so many of my ocean friends, human activity and interaction cause us the most harm. Building homes, resorts and golf courses adds to pollution and the destruction of our swamps, wetlands, and the areas where the plants grow that we need to eat.” Miss Molly spoke to the students in a very serious tone of voice. “Being struck by boats, poaching, getting caught in nets fishermen leave behind, and the loss of the food we need to survive are among the main causes of our loss of life. Most recently here in Florida in 2021 over one thousand of my friends and family died of starvation. Nitrogen pollution has caused the loss of the seagrass beds that used to thrive and give us great places to graze. Pollution impacts our survival every single day.