Anyone who has spent a significant amount of time around me is well aware what my favorite animal is and how much I am obsessed with that animal. In case you have not figured it out my favorite animal is in fact the majestic manatee. Normally when I tell people this they laugh and ask why because "they don't do anything" or "they're sea cows." I can't really disagree with this because honestly ever since I was little I have been obsessed with manatees and a large part of that started off due to their ability to just swim around and pretty much do nothing besides eat. Laugh all you want but I am not kidding when I say I have a fairly large "Manatee Crossing" sign hanging in my room back at home.

Now, what people do not understand however, is all of the struggles a manatee goes through in its life. It is not uncommon for a manatee to be hit by motor boats or other watercraft and end up with large scars and sometimes even portions of their tail missing, or even dying. The most known species of manatee is the West Indian manatee. They can be found around Florida in the winter and then as far away as Texas or Massachusetts in the summer. There are multiple places that allow you to go out and look for manatees or even swim with them.

I have actually gone to swim with manatees twice (the second time we didn't get to actually swim with any though) and this is where my love for manatees was solidified even more. We went over the summer when I was about eleven and it is honestly one of my favorite memories ever. We were vacationing in Florida and when my parents told me that we were swimming with manatees I got so excited. We went down to Crystal River where there are multiple places that offer tours. We got to go on a boat, see some celebrity homes, and then finally we saw some manatees! When it came time to actually get in the water I was the second person in the water. This was the moment where I learned that manatees are actually like these giant, lazy dogs. They loved to have their stomachs rubbed and they were really cuddly. One even tried to follow me back to the boat!

Manatees are some of the most mild-tempered and adorable animals I have ever had the pleasure of interacting with! I am always telling people about my love for sea cows and if someone takes me to a zoo that just so happens to have manatees than that is where I go first and I have to go back before we leave. I am actually obsessed. If you haven't seen a manatee or if you ever get the opportunity to go and swim with them it is an unforgettable experience. However, keep in mind that they are wild animals and you should treat them with respect because they are not there to be a toy, they are a living breathing animal.