ORANGE CITY, Fla. – You’re not the only one who is cold.
Manatees seeking a warm spot flocked to Volusia County’s Blue Spring State Park in record numbers Sunday.
The park reported that 932 manatees were counted at the spring Sunday, breaking the New Year’s Day record of 736.
The previous manatee count on Friday was 655 at the park.
[PINIT! Heading to Blue Spring State Park to see the manatees? Share your photos]
Manatees prefer warmer water, so when it’s cold they head to Florida’s springs. Blue Spring’s temperature stays at a constant 72 degrees, ensuring a large group of manatees when the weather is cold.
Manatees may look like they have extra insulation, but they actually have very little body fat. Cold stress is a serious condition for manatees if they remain for more than a few days in water that is below 68 degrees. Manatees can die from cold stress.
If you see a manatee with white lesions on its skin, visible abscesses or sores, appearing tired or breathing heavily, call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at 1-888-404-FWCC(3922), and press “7″ to speak to an operator.
Visitors to Blue Spring State Park can view the manatees, but be prepared for long lines. The park is located on West French Avenue in Orange City. Find more information on the Blue Spring State Park website.
Can’t make it to the park? You can watch the manatees live on Save the Manatee Club’s manatee webcams.
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