The Original Mermaids… The manatees of the Crystal River are Sirenians – an order of large aquatic mammals with stout bodies which look a bit like small whales. And are believed to be the source of the original mermaids myth.
Mermaids were said to be half-female and half-fish creatures. With the upper half having a woman’s head and torso, while the bottom half has a fishtail. The myth apparently goes back all the way to the ancient Greeks and it is even said that some mermaids took on full human shape and married seamen…
Seems a bit of a stretch to me. Manatees are truly wonderful creatures – I really love them! But you would have to be at sea for a very long time for them to become faintly attractive…
The Original Mermaids – Some Manatee Facts…
Manatees are big… With a fully grown female reaching up to 4m in length and about 1500kg in weight. Because they are so large, they have evolved without any natural enemies and as a result have developed a rather slow and passive nature.
Distantly related to elephants but usually referred to as “sea-cows”. There are now only four species of sirenians still alive of the 35 that are known to have once existed. Three of which fall in to the Manatee family, while the fourth is in the Dugong family.
A sub-species of the West Indian manatee species. The Florida Manatee is usually found in the shallow coastal waters around the state. But in summer can be spotted as far west as Louisiana and all the way up to the Carolinas on the east coast of the USA.
Solitary creatures that can live more than 70 years. Manatees are the only aquatic mammal that is also a herbivore. They exist on a primary diet of sea grass – the pursuit of which consumes up to 8 hours a day. With a full grown adult consuming up to 10% of its body weight every day.
The Original Mermaids – Temperature Matters!
Contrary to what its rotund appearance might suggest. The manatee’s diet means that they are actually really “lean machines”. They have virtually no fat or blubber to keep them warm when the water temperature drops in winter.
At water temperatures below 68 deg F the Florida Manatee cannot maintain its core body temperature. Simply stated, it will die of cold stress unless it can find a source of warmth.
Which means that Kings Bay and its natural springs provide a perfect natural refuge for them.
If you are interested in learning more about this fascinating and rather enigmatic creature. I would strongly recommend getting a copy of Roger Reep and Robert Bonde’s excellent book The Florida Manatee.
Back To: Complete Guide to Crystal River Manatees