One of the great many things we have learned while traveling is the unique things that make each area of the country special.  Since our Florida teams need us every winter 😊😊, we have had the blessing of being able to explore this great state.  We have learned that their state is riddled with springs that are freshwater and around 72 degrees all year long.  So although they are natural swimming pools for humans, the animals love them quite a bit.

So on extremsrely cold days, you will find a great number of animals lounging in the springs.  This is where you will have the best chance to find the manatees, alligators, and many bird species.  Some of the springs are more accessible than others so, places like Crystal Springs, Homosassa Springs, Blue Springs, are favorite manatee hangouts. We also learned that the St John river, which is the largest river in the state, is the only one that flows uphill, it’s wild.

The pics show us visiting Homosassa Springs and me seeing what I would look like as a manatee 😊  If I would have never had a guide explain to us about a sploosh, the very distinct ripple a manatee leaves when they surface as well as the sound they make when they are breathing, we may have completely missed them. They are such quiet and docile creatures, although they can move fast when they need to, they mostly move slowly, eating the vegetation as they go.  We got to see some up close and personal at the viewing area where they have an underwater window area that the manatees like to come up to.  Their faces are totally cute. 

They are very curious creatures so if you are out swimming or kayaking they may approach you.  It is illegal for you to approach them, but if you are in the area they will probably find you, they are so curious.  The majority of them that are killed by humans come from boating accidents where someone is not following the speed limit and they come up to surface right when a speeding boat comes by. This happens because when they are sleeping they come up for air, but stay asleep and go right back down.  So if you are navigating the waterways in Florida, might we encourage you to follow those speed limit signs, they are there for a reason.

We have also learned the difference between a turtle and a tortoise, but you’ll have to wait until the next time to find out.  Happy trails!