
04/07/2025
Stay cool & show your love for Central Florida's Favorite gentle giants! Get your hands on the new insulated Manatee Tumblers here at Around Mount Dora. These adorable tumblers are perfect for sipping your favorite drinks on-the-go, and the insulation keeps your beverages hot or cold for hours. Plus, they're a great way to support our beloved Florida manatees by starting conversation over how vital they are to our ecosystem.
Here are some fun facts about Florida manatees you may or may not have known. As well as a fun map of a few areas not too far from our Historic Downtown Mount Dora that you can view these wonderful sea cows at.
1. Manatee Meaning: The word "manatee" comes from the Taino word "manati," meaning "breast" or "udder."
2. Florida manatees can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh up to 1,300 pounds, but they're known for their gentle nature.
3. Manatees are herbivores and feed on over 60 different types of plants, including sea grasses and algae.
4. Manatees can swim up to 5-7 miles per hour, but they're not exactly speed demons.
5. Manatees are social animals and often gather in large groups, called "aggregations."
6. Florida manatees can live up to 60 years in the wild, which is impressive for a marine mammal.
7. Unfortunately, Florida manatees are listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss, entanglement in fishing nets, and collisions with boats.
8. Manatees have a distinctive snout shape, which is flexible and helps them grab onto plants.
9. Manatees are nocturnal, meaning they're most active at night, and they spend most of their time resting or sleeping during the day.
10. Manatees play a crucial role in maintaining the health of Florida's ecosystems by controlling aquatic plant growth and helping to maintain water quality.