Manatee Take-Over: More than 300 Manatees Sought Refuge, Temporarily Closing Florida Spring (PHOTO)

Three Sisters Springs in Florida closed on Monday when more than 300 manatees took over, according to 10News, Tampa Bay and Sarasota's CBS affiliate.

Tides began to rise at noon and the manatees unexpectedly swarmed the springs. By 1 p.m., 293 manatees were keeping warm in the springs. A half-hour later, more than 300 manatees had sought refuge and U.S. Fish and Wildlife temporarily closed Three Sisters Springs.

Despite their pudgy appearance (and almost 800 pound weight), manatees don't have the blubber to keep warm that we might expect them to have. With a cold front moving in and low tides expected, the springs will remain closed as long as the manatees will it.

Tags

Manatees, Animals, Florida, Environment