Why are Manatees so Nice?

Have you ever had the pleasure of seeing a Manatee up close? Maybe it came to up to play with your fishing gear, or check out your deep-sea fishing trophies. If you have, you may have noticed its slow movement, sweet demeanor, and lack of aggression. For a lot of wildlife, it’s a misfortune to meet them in the wild, but for a manatee, it’s a total treat.

The manatee has been growing in trust with humans for centuries, now to the point that most of them will come up to your dock for a sip from the water hose! Not only are these majestically plump creatures not afraid of us, they see us as someone they can ask for help.

These elephant mermaids are so famously adorable that even sharks tend to leave them alone. For a shark to think you’re so kind that you don’t deserve to be eaten, that’s a phenomenon.

So what makes manatees so famously kind?

1. Manatees are herbivores: This may seem obvious, but being a total plant eater can even change your own behavior. Because manatees have never had to evolve into predators, their instincts to hunt or harm didn’t develop. When you rely on seagrass for your calories, there’s not too much hunting involved, aside from hunting down the perfect spot.

2. Manatees don’t have the energy: Because these gentle creatures feast entirely on plants, they’re not getting too many calories to burn. These mellow mariners have very precious resources for their energy, and it’s better spent catching rays and finding love instead of starting fights

3. Manatees don’t have natural predators: Like we mentioned earlier, manatees are so kind that even a typical predator leaves them alone. Because manatees don’t have to escape from natural danger, they never developed the fight or flight response which makes an animal defend itself. Even provoked, manatees don’t know how to throw a fist.

4. Manatees have small, smooth brains: Okay, manatees may not be scholars, but a manatees’ small brain has traded wisdom for kindness. Compared to the majority of the animal kingdom, the brain of a manatee is almost disproportionately small compared to its body. Because manatees don’t have a large mental capacity, they tend to focus on simple things like finding food and enjoying a beautiful day. Not only are their brains smaller, but their amygdala part of their brain is even considered tiny compared to others with similar sized brains. The amygdala is the part of the brain that handles your fear and aggression responses. It's so small it basically never gets used. Awwwwww.

5. The motor speed of a manatee is just too slow: These slow floaters also have a disproportionately small cerebellum, which is the part of your brain that controls motor speed and coordination. A manatee was simply not built for anxiety! A manatee and a sloth are very comparable in the ways they have developed. 

In short, a manatee was simply not built to be aggressive, down to their own brains and evolutionary DNA, these gentle creatures were designed to be a delight. These sweet creatures have been evolving for centuries to become more and more peaceful, something entirely rare in the animal kingdom.

If you happen to see a manatee when you go deep sea fishing or catch near a dock, say hello! Just don’t touch! Manatees are a protected species, so unless you have 60 days to burn in prison or $500 burning in your pocket, a simple wave will do. To learn more about protecting manatees, check out here.

If you’re looking for performance fishing gear or a new fishing shirt to wear to the marina, Warbird Gear makes gear designed by and for real anglers. Learn more about us here!