
This is the most Florida thing we've heard this week! The Pinellas County Sheriff's Office is asking that citizens stop calling 911 about the flailing manatees. In fact, they look like they're in distress off the canals and shorelines of the Gulf Coast but really they're not having trouble at all. As a matter of fact, they're really enjoying themselves! The PCSO says, "We can assure you they are more than fine. Manatees actually mate in herds like these and often they are near the shore." These large sea cows are just enjoying what come natural to them which happens to be other manatees during mating season. They're having sex.
Why are manatees mating right now?
Manatees have been large mammals for a a while and they help support their ecosystem. Normally the glide slowly and quietly through the water but will occasionally stick their snouts for food or air. Most of them are easy going and known as very loveable creatures. They'll often come up for air and leaving swirls in the water because of their flat tails. Even though they're quite large and sweet it can be easy to miss them. Unlike some other animals, manatees do not pair for life. It’s not uncommon for several males to pursue a single female at the same time to see who the winner will be. They can often times become aggressive over the female which can lead to violence. Some manatees will splash and thrash in large groups that often draw curious, and sometimes concerned, onlookers. If you see something like this there's no need to call 911, they're just enjoying their natural habitat. They just want to make love, be loud and enjoy their surroundings! By the way, dangerous to intervene during mating season in general. Touching or disturbing manatees is illegal in Florida, and you could be fined.
You Aren’t A True Floridian Until You’ve Done These 9 Things
Were you born and raised here in the good ol' state of Florida? Or at least lived here for 20 years? Well, if that's the case then you've definitely done all these nine things listed below! If you thought visiting the capital was on this list, keep thinking. Visiting Tallahassee is not on the list of things that make you a true Floridian.
What truly makes you a Floridian is going through some dumb, slightly serious, yet dangerous life experiences. A good example of that would be hunkering down for a category 1-2 hurricane instead of evacuating and seeing an alligator in the wild. This list doesn't include visiting an amusement park like Disney World or Universal Studios. This list is full of true silly things us Floridians have done and experienced while living here. Scroll down below to see the entire list!
Why Move To Florida:
First and foremost, Florida is home to stunning beaches. There’s over 1,350 miles of coastline with pristine white sand, turquoise water, and extremely hot weather. One of the most famous places is Miami Beach to the very glamorous South Beach each one is amazing in it’s own way. The Gulf Coast beaches like Clearwater and Siesta Key are just as beautiful. It doesn’t matter what you’re looking for, there is a perfect beach for everyone. Visitors can enjoy different water activities like snorkeling, jet skiing, or just tanning in the hot sun.
Tampa ranks #2 on the list of Florida family vacations! Out of 400 towns in Florida they looked at hotel prices, number of restaurants, certain attractions including watersport and amusement parks. Florida is undeniably one of the best vacation destinations in the entire world. There’s tons of reasons why Florida continues to attract millions of visitors every year. From its stunning beaches, vibrant cities and diverse wildlife there’s always something fun to do. They have thrilling theme parks and offer a wide range of attractions for anyone’s travel interests and preferences. Scroll down to see all nine things that make you a true Floridian.
1. Hurricane Party
If you've lived in Florida long you know we deal with hurricane season every year. Some people are extra prepared for it to begin and most of us just wing it! As a matter of fact, depending on the category we either host a hurricane party or go to one we've been invited to by our friends. We most likely know we'll lose power so bring a flash light, a 12 pack and lets party!

(Marco Di Lauro/Getty Images)
2. Seeing Alligator In The Wild
Alligator are everywhere in Florida and like to hide in retention ponds or even golf courses. Your chances of seeing one in the wild are pretty high! Alligators are known for their aggressive behavior and there’s been many encounters with humans in the new recently. Gators will most likely attack when they feel threatened. If you live in the state of Florida it’s important to understand their behavior and take necessary precautions to stay safe especially in alligator infested lakes.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
3. Waffle House After The Club
It doesn't have to be after the club necessarily, it could be a night out drinking. But a main staple here in Florida is to hit up a Waffle House early in the morning or if you're dealing with a horrible hangover.

(Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images)
4. Catching Lizards
If there's one thing we have it's an abundance of lizards everywhere! They're always running around and when it's mating season you see them stick out their red throats looking for love. One thing we always did as kids was catching the lizards and then we would wear them as earrings. We'd gently open their mouths and have them hang off our finger or ear.

(Photo by Carl Court/Getty Images)
5. Ordering Publix Sub
This isn't even a question. If you grew up in Florida you have a favorite Pub sub. Even though they're all delicious it's a must to eat one every month. They're the best!

(Stiffy)
6. Shooting Guns
Whether you're going to the gun range or practicing outside Florida is known for their guns. If you've lived here for a while most likely you've had some target practice.

(Lars Baron/Getty Images)
7. Stuck In Disney I-4 Traffic
Whether you're driving to Disney, Universal or Sea World you will 100% get caught in I-4 traffic. It doesn't matter the time of day or night because there's so many Florida visitors that have no idea where they're driving. Always give yourself extra time when driving through or to Orlando.

(Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images)
8. Scary Weather Turns Beautiful In Minutes
It could look like a tropical storm outside especially in Summer but wait 5 minutes and it'll be gone! You might not believe me. If you're a true Floridian you've seen this happen more times than not.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)
9. ZigZag Run From Gators
When living in Florida you might learn about a lot of myths and one big one is the Zigzag run. Growing up you always hear that if an alligator runs at you, you should run in a zigzag pattern. This will help you avoid getting caught because they can't follow you. FALSE! In fact, alligators can reach speeds of 25 mph, so you need to run as fast as you can, away from an alligator in a straight line if possible.

(Photo by Joe Raedle/Getty Images)




