Florida Underwater River Springs: The Secret to the Manatee’s Survival
In Florida Underwater River Springs: The Secret to the Manatee’s Survival, get an up-close view of Florida’s network of rivers, which provide a prime habitat for many species. The warm water from underwater springs is essential for one mammal in particular. This video is excerpted from BBC's Natural World Florida: America's Animal Paradise, a series displaying Florida’s diverse wildlife and its resilience against increasing environmental threats.
Lesson Express
Q: What makes Florida’s river system so unique?
A: It gets trillions of liters of rain every year and creates the swampy wetland landscape that makes up the Everglades. The Silver River in particular is unique because it has one of the largest fresh-water springs in the United States.
Q: Why are the river springs crucial to the manatee’s survival?
A: Manatees can’t survive in water colder than 71°F (22°C), so they head to the inland rivers in the winter.
Q: What was happening to the manatees and how was it resolved?
A: Manatees were losing access to the warm waters because of construction and development, but since 2016 the waterways have been protected.