Monitoring and prediction of red tide distribution has been deemed crucial. Far Between Another reason it is so important for scientists to understand all the threats to manatees' survival is that manatees have a very slow reproduction rate. Intervals between births range from two to five years, and the gestation period is approximately 13 months. Mothers nurse their calves for a long period and a calf may remain dependent on its mother for up to two years. Scientists believe females do not become sexually mature until five years of age.
Males are mature at approximately nine years of age.
It's time to bid farewell and thanks to Ranger Wayne Hartley. He reports that the manatee season at Blue Spring State Park is officially over for this spring. Not a single manatee has visited the hotsprings since February 27th. Ranger Hartley doesn't expect them back until late October, when temperatures fall and the manatees seek warm waters again. Please include the name of your school and your location so we can credit you properly for your answers.