Animal of the Month: Florida Manatee. August 2012

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1 Animal of the Month: Florida Manatee August 2012

2 Animal of the Month: Florida Manatee Trichechus manatus 1. Conservation Status: Status: Endangered (Florida Manatee aka West Indian Manatee) Range: Manatees take up residence primarily in Florida s coastal waters during winter. Some individuals migrate as far north as the Carolinas or as far west as Louisiana in summer. The West Indian manatee has a wider distribution spanning from Florida s coast to the Caribbean to South America. Habitat - Manatees can be found in warms waters of shallow rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal waters. 2. Size Size m (9.2-12ft) Females generally are larger and weigh more. Weight kg ( lbs) 3. Social Structure: Not much of a social structure. Manatee generally live alone. Social structure happens during migration when large numbers come together. Manatee are caring, companionate and highly intelligent leading to situations where they attempt to help each other during difficult situations such as lack of food or when one is injured. In some instances Manatees do form groups, in very small sizes. In these groups there doesn t seem to be any form of hierarchy. 4. Reproduction: Mating Season: No specific period. Gestation: About 1 year Number of Offspring: 1 calf Calves remain dependent, nursing for around two years. Average offspring born between 2-5 years. Calves are born weighing between pounds.

3 5. Behavior: Nocturnal vs. Diurnal: Both Shy vs. Curious: They are both shy and curious often considered the Gentile Giants. Their curiosity is often to blame for death from boats and propellers. Jumping Ability: None listed, although they have been known to body surf or barrel roll when playing. Land Speed: NA Water speed: Slow moving animals that travel up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts: Unique Behaviors: Manatees prefer waters that are around 3 7 feet deep. Manatees travel on the coast in feet deep water. Found both in Salt and Fresh Water Rest both Day and Night for shorter periods. May surface, during sleep, to breathe without fully waking up. Only breathe through their nostrils, since they mouth is mainly occupied with eating. Spend most of the time eating, resting and traveling. 6. Captivity Frequency in captivity: common in Florida, rare elsewhere Noteworthy exhibits: Florida Manatee and Aquatic Center, Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, FL Size: 200,000-gallon exhibit pools, three 16,500-gallon treatment pools Opening date: January, 1991 Number of Animals: up to 12 manatees (varies) Designer: Master Plan by Design Consortium, Ltd. First place built just for the research and rehabilitation of wild manatees. Center includes 3 manatee treatment pools, 2 large viewing habitats, a hydroponics unit, and an emergency treatment clinic 3

4 Manatee Rescue, SeaWorld Orlando, FL Now combined with Turtle Trek attraction Size: 3 acres (includes exhibits and LSS yard) Opening date: April 27, 2012 (renovated exhibit) Designer: PGAV Destinations Manatee Exhibit, Miami Seaquarium in Miami, FL Size: 38 acre oceanarium Date of first manatee rescue: July, 1955 One of only three facilities in Florida authorized as a Manatee Critical Care Facility. Has rescued and rehabilitated more than 80 manatees since 2002 alone. Home to the first manatee conceived and born in captivity. Other exhibits in Florida: Ellie Schiller Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park in Homosassa, FL Parker Manatee Aquarium at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton, FL The Seas with Nemo & Friends at Epcot/Walt Disney World, in Lake Buena Vista, FL Exhibits outside of Florida: Shores at the Columbus Zoo and Aquarium in Powell, Ohio Florida Manatee exhibit at the Cincinnati Zoo and Botanical Gardens in Cincinnati, Ohio Studies completed on this animal in captivity? If so, attach any useful articles. How Manatees find their Way - Husbandry and research training of two Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) /27-01_Colbert.pdf Learning about Manatees: A Collaborative Program between New College of Florida and Mote Marine Laboratory to Conduct Laboratory Research for Manatee Conservation - 4

5 Manatee Research Program Mammal%20and%20Sea%20Turtle%20Research Midwest Florida Manatee Research Project - Acoustical and Behavioral Research Husbandry Guidelines APHIS MHD: 23 (7.02m) Pool Minimum Depth: 5.75 (1.75m) Volume:» Minimum Volume for 2: 17,885 gallons (67.7m3)» Volume per Each Additional Manatee: 4,465 gallons (17m3) Surface Area:» As long as depth and MHD requirements are met, the surface area will be adequate. AMMPA Pool Minimum Depth: 5 Volume:» Minimum Volume for 4: 47,000 gallons» Volume per Each Additional 2 Manatees: 27,000 gallons» Volume per additional manatees DOES NOT need to meet minimum depth as long as it is navigable by the animals. Water Temperatures: No cooler than 68 deg F, no warmer than 90 deg F 5

6 8. Enrichment Zoo Approved Enrichment Techniques Head, fin and tummy rub as reward Target training Behavior training Offer multiple surface textures for rubbing via pvc pipes, brushes, textured mats Hula hoops suspended at various depths via holes drilled to allow partial sinking Frozen veggie block PVC floating feeder Vacuum hoses for interaction Untested Enrichment Ideas Provide changing lights on pool surfaces High pressure inlets for environmental change Remote controlled feeders 6

7 References Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums. Standards and Guidelines. Alexandria, VA: Alliance of Marine Mammal Parks and Aquariums, Print. A-Z Animals. Animals, Manatee. A-Z Animals. A-Z Animals, Web 30 August 2012.< Bauer, Gordon, Debborah Colbert and Joseph Gaspard. "Learning about Manatees: A Collaborative Program between New College of Florida and Mote Marine Laboratory to Conduct Laboratory Research for Manatee Conservation." International Journal of Comparative Psychology (2010): 23, Print. 1 September < Colbert, Debborah, et al. "Husbandry and research training of two Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)." Aquatic Mammals 27.1 (2001): Print. 1 September < Jennifer Kennedy, Marine Life Guide. Types of Manatees. About.com Marine Life. About.com, part of The New York Times Company, Web 29 August < Manatee-World.com. Manatee Social Structure. Manatee-World.com. Infoqis Publishing, Co, Web 30 August 2012 < Mote Marine Laboratory. Environmental Enrichment. The Jane and David Allen Manatee Exhibit. Mote Marine Laboratory, Web. 17 September < Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium. "Manatee Research Program." Mote Marine Laboratory. Web. 1 September < %20Turtle%20Research>. Nelson, Rachel. "The Manatee and Aquatic Center and David A. Straz Jr. Manatee Hospital." Tampa s Lowry Park Zoo. Web. 1 September < Save the Manatee Club. "How Manatees Find Their Way." Save the Manatees Club. Web. 1 September < Save the Manatee Club. "Manatee Viewing." Save the Manatee Club. Web. 1 September < Save the Manatee Club. Save the Manatee Information. The Official Web Site of Save the Manatee Club. Save the Manatee Club, Inc., Web. 29 August < USDA APHIS. Title 9 Animals and Animal Products. USDA. USDA APHIS, 31 May Web. 17 September < Xavier University. "Abstracts and Reports." Midwest Florida Manatee Research Project. Web. 1 September < 7

A COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK M ANATEE S. Florida s Gentle Giants. Illustrated by Jerry Bulgrin. Produced by.

A COLORING AND ACTIVITY BOOK M ANATEE S Florida s Gentle Giants Illustrated by Jerry Bulgrin Produced by. How do manatees look? WHISKERS ON THE SNOUT SMALL, WIDE-SET EYES PADDLE-SHAPED TAIL NOSTRILS THICK,