West Indian manatee mother and baby © Karine Aigner/Tandem Stills + Motion
2023-11-08 in Three Sisters Springs Crystal River Florida
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West Indian manatee mother and baby, Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Florida (© Karine Aigner/Tandem Stills + Motion)
The life aquatic
Today we're celebrating the lovely manatee! These marvelous marine mammals have a fascinating history that spans millions of years. They are related to elephants and their ancestors can be traced back to the Eocene era (about 56 to 33.9 million years ago), making them one of the oldest mammals on Earth. These slow-moving herbivores have, over time, adapted to life in warm, coastal waters.