West Indian manatee mother and baby Nov 8, 2023

West Indian manatee mother and baby

Manatees have a fascinating history that spans millions of years. They are closely related to elephants and can be traced back to the Eocene era (about 56 to 33.9 million years ago), making them one of the oldest mammals on Earth. These slow-moving herbivores have, over time, adapted to life in warm, coastal waters. Known for their friendly demeanor and unique whiskered faces, these sleepy creatures have always been welcoming towards humans. Sadly, they have been exposed to various threats, such as habitat loss and boat collisions, due to which raising awareness has become essential. So, if you visit Crystal River and come across a West Indian manatee, we encourage you to take a moment to appreciate them, but from a distance.

© Karine Aigner/Tandem Stills + Motion

palette

Today in History

Nov 8, 2024Glacial rivers, Iceland

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Sep 24, 2023Fraser River near Mount Robson, British Columbia, Canada
Jul 13, 2024Fairy chimneys and cave dwellings in Cappadocia, Türkiye
Jul 22, 2025Badlands National Park, South Dakota, United States
Nov 5, 2024Lençóis Maranhenses National Park, Brazil
Apr 12, 2025View from the cupola of the International Space Station
Dec 2, 2023Gwalior, Madhya Pradesh, India
Nov 29, 2023Schwerin Castle on Lake Schwerin, Germany
Jul 1, 2024Fisgard Lighthouse, Colwood, British Columbia, Canada
Feb 3, 2024Basilica of Santa Maria della Salute, Venice, Italy
Oct 3, 2025Glen Brittle, Isle of Skye, Scotland
Mar 30, 2024Brown-throated three-toed sloth
Mar 13, 2024Lesser flamingos, Lake Magadi, Kenya
Apr 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
Jan 23, 2025Deer Valley at dusk, Park City, Utah, United States
Dec 29, 2024Borobudur temple, Java, Indonesia
Jan 27, 2024Spot-billed toucanet, Brazil
Jun 30, 2025Wolfe Creek Crater, Australia
May 12, 2024Guanaco mother and baby
Sep 10, 2024Vasco da Gama Bridge, Lisbon
Nov 1, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
Mar 26, 2024Vinh Hy Bay, Vietnam
Sep 20, 2024Ocracoke Lighthouse on Ocracoke Island, North Carolina, USA
Oct 12, 2025Saranac Lake, New York
Jun 1, 2025Barrier reef off Grande Terre, New Caledonia, France
Oct 26, 2023Schönbrunn Palace Park, Vienna, Austria
Oct 22, 2024Palazzo Zuccari, Rome, Italy
Aug 25, 2023Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, USA
Aug 29, 2023American bison
Feb 8, 2025Medieval towers in Mestia, Upper Svaneti, Georgia
Mar 9, 2025St Marks Clock Tower, Venice, Italy