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Get ready to celebrate these gentle giants of the sea on Manatee Awareness Month, starting November 1st! This special month was first designated in 2005 by the United States Congress, in an effort to raise awareness about the endangered manatees and their importance to our marine ecosystem. These lovable creatures have been around for millions of years and are known for their slow-moving nature and friendly demeanor. So let's take this month to appreciate and protect these amazing animals, while also having some fun along the way!
<div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1893</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Florida Manatee Protection Legislation</div><div class='timeline-text'>Florida enacted its first state-level legislation aimed at protecting manatees, making it unlawful to catch or kill the animals without a permit.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1973</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Endangered Species Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United States Congress passed the Endangered Species Act, under which the West Indian manatee became a federally protected species.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1981</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>First Manatee Sanctuary</div><div class='timeline-text'>The Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge in Florida, the only refuge specifically created for the protection of the endangered Florida manatee, was established.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>1991</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act</div><div class='timeline-text'>Florida established the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act, setting speed zones in waterways to prevent manatees from being injured by boats.</div></div></div><div class='timeline-item'><div class='timeline-left'><div class='timeline-date-text'>2005</div></div><div class='timeline-center'></div><div class='timeline-right'><div class='timeline-text timeline-text-title'>Manatee Awareness Month Designation</div><div class='timeline-text'>The United States Congress designated November as Manatee Awareness Month, aimed at raising awareness about manatees and encouraging their conservation.</div></div></div>
<div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>1</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Host a manatee-themed party</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Invite your friends over and throw a manatee-themed party! Decorate with manatee balloons, serve manatee-shaped snacks, and watch documentaries about these gentle giants.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>2</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Volunteer at a manatee rescue center</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Contact your local manatee rescue center and inquire about volunteer opportunities. You'll not only be helping these amazing creatures, but you'll also learn more about them and their conservation.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>3</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Go on a manatee-watching tour</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Many coastal areas offer guided tours to see manatees in their natural habitat. Grab some friends or family and go on an adventure to spot these gentle giants in the wild.</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>4</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Educate others about manatees</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Spread awareness about manatees by sharing information and facts on social media, or by hosting a presentation at your school or workplace. The more people know, the more they'll care!</p></div></div><div id='' class='facts-item'><div id='' class='facts-header'><h3 id='' class='facts-number'>5</h3></div><div id='' class='facts-text-wrapper'><h3 id='' class='facts-title'>Adopt a manatee</h3><p id='' class='facts-text'>Consider adopting a manatee through a reputable conservation organization. This not only supports their care and protection, but you'll also receive updates and fun goodies related to your new manatee friend.</p></div></div>
<div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>A</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Manatees are an important part of our ecosystem</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>As herbivores, manatees play a vital role in maintaining the balance of aquatic ecosystems. They also help to keep seagrass beds healthy by grazing on them, which benefits other species like fish and crustaceans.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>B</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Manatees need protection</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>Due to human activity such as boat strikes and habitat destruction, manatees are considered a vulnerable species. By raising awareness about their importance, we can work towards protecting their habitats and reducing threats to their population.</p></div></div><div id='' class='whywelove-item'><div id='' class='whywelove-letter-cont'><div class='whywelove-letter'>C</div></div><div id='why-we-love-main-cont'><h3 id='' class='whywelove-title'>Educating the public about manatees is crucial for their conservation</h3><p id='' class='whywelove-text'>By highlighting the threats facing manatees and promoting ways to protect them, Manatee Awareness Month helps to educate the public about how they can make a positive impact on these gentle creatures. This can include responsible boating practices, reducing pollution, and reporting injured or distressed manatees.</p></div></div>
<div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>1</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees are also known as "Sea Cows"</h3><p class='facts-content'>Categorized as herbivores, manatees spend a significant part of their day grazing on vegetation in coastal regions, similar to how a cow grazes on grass. Hence, the nickname "Sea Cow".</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>2</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees have tough upper lips</h3><p class='facts-content'>The upper lip of manatees is prehensile. This attribute allows them to grasp and tear apart their food, primarily aquatic plants.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>3</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees have Longevity</h3><p class='facts-content'>With an ideal environment and conditions, manatees can thrive and potentially live up to 60 years, emphasizing their resilient nature.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>4</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees have poor eyesight but excellent hearing</h3><p class='facts-content'>While manatees do not have the best eyesight amongst marine creatures, their hearing capability is superb. They are equipped to detect even small changes in underwater sounds.</p></div></div><div class='facts-item'><div class='facts-number-wrapper'><p class='facts-number'>5</p></div><div class='facts-core-content'><h3 class='facts-title'>Manatees move slowly but can swim fast when required</h3><p class='facts-content'>Despite being popularly known as gentle and slow-moving creatures, manatees comprehend the situation and can swim at a speed of 20 miles per hour in cases of danger or threat.</p></div></div>
Manatee Awareness Month is celebrated on November 1 every year. In 2024, November 1 will fall on a Friday.
2023
Nov 1
Wednesday
2024
Nov 1
Friday
2025
Nov 1
Saturday
2026
Nov 1
Sunday
2027
Nov 1
Monday
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