Newborn manatee calves are capable of swimming to the surface on their own and vocalize at or soon after birth. Female manatees usually seek quiet areas in which to give birth. In Florida, newborn calves can be seen at any time of the year, although more seem to be born in the spring and summer. Most births are of a single calf about centimeters about 47 inches long and weighing 30 kilograms 66 pounds , although a few cases of twins have been documented. The details of the birth process remain unclear but observations of calving in captive manatees have shown that the offspring can be born either head- or tail-first.
In the few cases in which births have been observed in captivity, the newborn calf is capable of swimming to the surface on its own, although the attentive behavior of the mother may give the impression that she is assisting the calf.
Calves vocalize at or soon after birth and this is probably an important part of the mother-calf bonding process. The calf begins to nurse within a few hours after birth, and nursing frequency and duration increases as the calf becomes more proficient. The precocious calves are able to swim with their mothers within minutes of birth.
Adult manatees typically swim in single file, but a calf always travels parallel to its mother, directly behind her flipper. It is possible that the animals can communicate most effectively in this position, or the formation is advantageous if the calf experiences less draft from the water. Female manatees do not attack other manatees or humans that approach their young. Instead, they attempt to keep other manatees and human divers away from their calves by swimming between the intruder and their offspring.
If the danger is perceived as severe, the female and calf will flee. A fleeing female — calf pair produces a duet, with one animal vocalizing and the other emitting an answering call.
When they make this action, there is a lot of splashing in motion in the water. Often Manatees will mate for lengths that range from several hours to a day or two. They prefer to mate in shallow waters as the ground will help give them some friction.
Winter is the other manatee season in Florida. When the water is cold in the wintertime Manatees have to swim south to stay warm. Cold-water exposure is actually the largest killer of manatees. The winter season for manatees is in January and February for the most part. As the manatees swim south to stay warm, they end up in South Florida. The manatees will often be in large groups staying warm together and warm areas. It is natural freshwater springs and power plants are some of the best places to find manatees congregating in the wintertime.
Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Winter Mating Season Winter is the other manatee season in Florida. Share This Post With Friends! Related Posts. September 6th, 0 Comments. July 14th, 0 Comments. Manatees have a long mating period that starts in the spring around March and can extend all the way to November.
Boaters could see a mating group of manatees in deeper waters and beachgoers could spot them on the shoreline. Last August, a group of mating manatees stopped traffic near the Courtney Campbell Causeway as drivers gawked at the sight. Remember to keep your distance from manatee mating herds in Florida waters. Sometimes, Rigney said, the manatees get close to shore because the female manatees will resort to trying to beach themselves to get away from the intense male attention.
Anyone who comes upon a group of mating manatees should leave them alone and keep their distance, Rigney said. Interfering with their mating habits could be considered harassment — it could also prove dangerous.
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