500 Manatees Crowd Florida Springs to Escape Cold: A Glimpse into Wildlife Survival

• Approximately 500 manatees gathered at Three Sisters Springs in Crystal River, Florida, seeking refuge from dangerously cold coastal waters.
• The manatees clustered tightly and floated motionless to conserve body heat, as their bodies lack thick insulating fat layers, making them vulnerable to "cold stress syndrome."
• Three Sisters Springs maintains a constant warm temperature, making it a vital winter sanctuary for manatees, especially during severe cold waves.
• Biologists observed unusually high numbers this season, with some springs reaching near-capacity, raising concerns about increased risks of injury, disease, and human disturbance.
• Manatees undertake this seasonal migration to warm springs every winter, traveling dozens of kilometers, a behavior crucial for their survival that scientists are actively studying.

Why It Matters: Hundreds of manatees sought critical refuge in Florida's warm springs to survive extreme winter cold.