Manatee Mania in Mississippi
Greetings! Did you know that manatee mania is now expanding to Mississippi and the northern Gulf? Well – it’s true! So, Florida isn’t the only state that manatees love, it’s also Mississippi.
“Mississippi’s coast is becoming a vacation spot for some very gentle visitors. West Indian manatees, sometimes nicknamed ‘sea cows’, are not just cruising past the northern Gulf of Mexico; new research from Mississippi State University shows these slow-moving mammals are sticking around long enough to mate and maybe even set down roots.”
Holley Muraco, who is an assistant research professor at MSU’s Coastal Research and Extension Center, analyzed some rather rare drone footage capturing a “mating herd” of three manatees off Moss Point last fall [2025]. The high-resolution video allowed Muraco to observe these sea cows in action for the first time in Mississippi waters.
Maraco explained, “Despite their chunky appearance, manatees’ fat provides limited thermoregulation abilities. They’re traveling farther from Florida and staying longer along the Gulf Coast than we’ve seen before.”
“Manatees usually overwinter in Florida, where warm springs and power plant discharge water provide cozy refuges. But these gentle giants are picky: water temperatures above 68 degrees and plenty of seagrass are must-haves, no matter where they are. And Mississippi’s coastal waters appear to check those boxes.”
The Dauphin Island Sea Lab Manatee Sighting Network has been documenting the growing number of manatees in the northern Gulf. It has tracked more than 8,000 sightings since 2007. Scientists say that “a recovering population and long-term environmental changes are likely driving more sea cows to explore outside Florida.”
Muraco plans to continue studying the Mississippi coast, “identifying warm-water refuges and potential habitats near power plants. Observing these gentle giants is not just fascinating – it’s important for conservation and boater safety, since collisions are the leading cause of manatee deaths.”
Muraco continued and said, “We now know these manatees aren’t just passing through. They’re healthy enough to reproduce here, which shows that Mississippi’s coast is supporting their survival.”
To learn more about the endangered Florida manatee, below is an awesome award-winning Kobee Manatee® book for children…
Synopsis: In late September, Kobee Manatee® is on a twelve-hundred-mile mission to get back home to Florida from Cape Cod, Massachusetts before the impending cold threatens his life. On his southbound journey, he meets two new friends: Tess the seahorse, who loves to learn, and Pablo the hermit crab, who is in search for a new shell. Will Kobee and his friends make it to Florida in time? Children learn all about manatees and their habitat!
We Have Excellent Reviews for Kobee Manatee!
“Children can learn a great deal about manatees and their habitat by reading about Kobee and his friends and their traveling adventure.” – Dr. Katie Tripp, Director of Science and Conservation, Save the Manatee Club
“This luxuriously illustrated, infectiously charming story makes us want to save the manatee and have a plush version to hug.” – Foreword Clarion Reviews
“A swimmingly fun, educational trip sure to be enjoyed by young friends of the manatee.” – Kirkus Reviews
“Kobee Manatee: Heading Home to Florida is a recipient of the prestigious Mom’s Choice Award. The Mom’s Choice Awards® (MCA) evaluates products and services created for parents and educators and is globally recognized for establishing the benchmark of excellence in family-friendly media, products and services. Using a rigorous evaluation process, entries are scored on a number of elements including production quality, design, educational value, entertainment value, originality, appeal and cost. Around the world, parents, educators, retailers and members of the media trust the MCA Honoring Excellence seal when selecting quality products and services for families and children.” – Mom’s Choice Awards
If you are in Florida and you see a sick or injured manatee, please call the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission at: 1-888-404-FWCC. They are the folks who are responsible for rescuing us in Florida.
Here’s the Save the Manatee Club link to learn more about manatees …
Here’s a cool link for you to learn more about how we’re rescued and brought into rehabilitation …
~ Robert Scott Thayer
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