This is a great way to spot manatees, especially since they camouflage so well with their surroundings. Keep an eye open for manatee footprints. Manatees are slow moving mammals that frequent the water's surface. Algae thrives in wet areas with lots of sunlight which makes the manatee's back an ideal breeding ground for algae. It may look uncomfortable to us but manatees don't seem to mind the slimy stuff.
Algae helps manatees camouflage, or hide, in their environment.
Algae is also like suntan lotion. It helps to block out harmful rays from the sun that may potentially cause sunburn. The relationship between a mother and baby is the strongest social bond created by manatees. A mother manatee will carry her baby for about 12 months before it is born. A baby manatee is called a calf.