Manatee Appreciation Day: History, Facts & Insights

This is an in-depth look at all the must-know facts about Manatee Appreciation Day (2024) 🗓️ that no one tells you about. Manatee Appreciation Day is celebrated on March 31st.

Among the information you’ll find below: the history of Manatee Appreciation Day, activities to do on and how to observe this holiday, as well as amusing facts you may want to know about Manatee Appreciation Day.

📅 What day is Manatee Appreciation Day 2024?

In 2024, Manatee Appreciation Day is on Friday, March 31st. It is the 5th Friday in March; in 2024, it is Sunday. There are until the next observance. You also can explore all the fun details and facts about March 31, 2023, that you might not be aware of.

Every year on the last Wednesday of March, which falls on March 31st this year, we celebrate Manatee Appreciation Day. The purpose of this day is to bring attention to the endangered manatees, also known as sea cows, who are facing threats from pollution, global warming, and poaching. It’s interesting to note that despite weighing up to 1,200 pounds, manatees can survive solely on seagrass. Unfortunately, their main adversary is humans. Manatee Appreciation Day serves as a way to honor, educate, and safeguard these gentle creatures, who often resemble inflated beanbags, from harmful human activities.

📜 Manatee Appreciation Day History

Manatees have become critically endangered due to the degradation of their habitats. There are only three unique species of manatees worldwide, and they are often targeted by poachers for their meat. They also face threats from canal degradation and accidental collisions with ships. New developments harm their natural nesting areas and contaminate the water with harmful substances, leading to algal blooms. Manatees are frequently killed in collisions with boats, as they rely on shallow seas to feed on seagrass, their main source of food.
Manatee Appreciation Day was established by Save the Manatee Club, a leading conservation group founded in 1981 by artist Jimmy Buffet and former U.S. senator Bob Graham. The organization aims to protect manatees and their environment. This holiday was created to raise awareness and prevent harm to these slow-moving sea cows.

✅ Manatee Appreciation Day Facts

🔖 They eat a lot
To maintain their weight, they spend eight hours a day consuming seagrass through grazing.

🔖 They continuously replace teeth
Manatees constantly have a new set of teeth growing beneath their existing set of teeth.

🔖 They have massive lungs
Their lung capacity is equivalent to two-thirds of their body size, allowing them to efficiently replenish up to 90% of oxygen.

👍 Why Is Manatee Appreciation Day Important

Childhood myths and films have made us all long for the monster with two hands and a fish-like tail. A manatee comes the closest, and we would never want them to become extinct.

Given the weight they have to support, you’d think they’d be lazy as hell. Absolutely not. You’re missing out on a beautiful sight if you haven’t seen a manatee amusing himself by rolling in the water and making you go “aww!”

The female manatee is pregnant for a year and cares for her calf for several years, exactly like a human mother. It’s inexcusable to destroy so many years of love and sustenance!

🙂 How To Observe Manatee Appreciation Day

⚡ Donate to manatee conservation programs

⚡ Visit the manatee in Orlando
If you’re in Orlando, don’t miss the chance to see the Florida manatees! You can visit them either at SeaWorld or Blue Spring State Park. It would be a great idea to capture their emergence on film and create a lasting memory.

⚡ Spread the word
While you can only admire the animal from afar, several conservation groups and clubs are working diligently on the ground to help the cause. Do your bit by donating as much as you can so that they can ramp up their efforts.

📅 When is Manatee Appreciation Day?

See all 🔗 March holidays, including 🔗 Animal and other 🔗 Appreciation holidays.

We will continue to update this page with new information and interesting facts about Manatee Appreciation Day. So be sure to check back soon.