This is a picture taken at Three Sisters Spring in Crystal River, Florida. We were there to swim with the manatees. Manatees are a funny creature - as ugly as a mud fence but as sweet like a big, dumb puppy. They love to follow you around and are curious little creatures. Did I say little? - they are huge, like a cow with flippers instead of legs. Matter of fact they are sometimes referred to as sea cows. They like to be scratched on their mossy covered skin. Their curiosity has lead to very sad endings for many of them because they get cut by boat propellers and tangled in fishing line. If you ever have the opportunity to swim with these ugly, yet adorable creatures....... DO IT!
I was reading through the list of facts about the manatees and was struck by the similarites and also the differences between them and the male of the human species, we'll call them MENatees........ read for yourself........
Similar = Green
Differences = Red
Manatee (and Menatee) Comparison Facts
- Average Manatee 10ft long weighing 800-1200 pounds.
OK, maybe not the male himself, but I would say most men have some hunk of metal or fiberglass in their garage that fits this description.
- They have been known to reach 13 ft and 3500 pounds.
Like I said above.........
- When born they are 3-4 ft long and 60-70 pounds.
Can you say NFL player?
- Manatees are herbivores meaning plant eating animals.
omgosh, feed a man salad only and he will be certain his demise is readily at hand
- Manatees replace worn teeth throughout their lifetime.
RIIIGHHTTT, ever try to get a man to go to the dentist......ain't happenin'
- Manatees have fairly good vision and can distinguish between colors.
As long as what they are looking at a blonde in a bikini....... socks on the floor? What socks on the floor?
- Manatees cannot survive in temperatures below 68 degrees (20 Celsius).
Men? Ice capades show? NO........Duck blind or Deer Stand........ heck yah!
- Manatees spend 6-8 hours a day feeding.
No expounding necessary.
- Manatees surface for air every 3-5 minutes.
During football season....... men surface for ..........beverages.
- Manatees do not form permanent bonds when breeding.
What is it Beyonce says? If ya liked then you shoulda put a ring on it......
- Manatees can stay submerged up to 20 minutes.
This does not work for men - I tried, he started to turn blue after 10.
- Females mature for breeding at about 5 years old and 8 years old for males.
Females always mature faster........ wait a minute.........that would imply that men eventually do mature.......
- On average one calf is born every 5 years.
That is about how often men notice something needs to be done around the house without being told. And by golly you better notice because he is going to keep bringing it up for the NEXT 5 years!
- Gestation period is about 1 year long.
The same amount of time it takes a man to digest a stadium hot dog.
- Mothers nurse young for up to 2 years.
We're just going to leave this one alone.
- Manatees may live as long as 60 years.
As long as they learn to at least pretend to listen to their mate.
- Manatees do not have eyelashes.
One word......guyliner.
- Manatees prefer water 3-7 feet deep.
Much higher than that and the water starts to run into the hip waders.
- Manatees eat 10% to 15% of their body weight each day.
Don't deny it men ......you would if you could.........
Since I didn't end up with any good digital pics of the manatees, I borrowed the one. Listed is also his blog, which you should check out:
http://alanrider.wordpress.com/2009/01/
