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Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park | December 22, 2009

 
Matthew

I can as well. Wow, interesting. Well manatees are attracted to Homosassa Springs because of the natural spring that is the centerpiece of the park, that’s why it’s called -

Rachel

Thus, the name.

Matthew

Yes, exactly. So the waters are about 72 degrees – Not about, they are 72 degrees Fahrenheit, year round, and it attracts manatees and thousands of salt water and fresh water fish.

Rachel

Speaking of fish, the best way to see these manatees at the park is to – There is actually a floating underwater observatory in the park called the Fish Bowl.

Matthew

Oh, brilliant.

Rachel

And I love this Fishbowl because listeners probably don’t know, but Matt and I, and actually our producer Tyler work in a little glass office called the Fishbowl.

Matthew

Along with three other of our colleagues.

Rachel

Yes, so again we can relate.

Matthew

Absolutely.

Rachel

To these fishbowl people.

Matthew

We feel the fishbowl. So you go about 9 feet underwater, and watch the manatees, and the fishies all swim together, be happy, and not get hit by speedboats.

Rachel

Another interesting inhabitant of the park is Lucifer.

Matthew

What?

Rachel

Wait for it, or Lu, who is an African Hippo, and I love this – A former animal actor who has been hanging around the park since 1964. Every year – this is really sweet, they celebrate his birthday, and I think in 2010 he’s gonna turn 50.

Matthew

Really, wow. In addition to all the animals we’ve mentioned, there are also a ton of birds. Yes, it is a birder’s paradise you can even say. You got flamingos, storks, herons, bald eagles, owls, and even pelicans.

Rachel

Pelicans?

Matthew

Yes because you’re in Florida. So if you are dying to know more about these manatees or why in the world sailors would mistake them for mermaids, or perhaps why they need glasses, you can type manatees into the www.HowStuffWorks.com search bar, and check it all out because there’s a ton of stuff you can find.

Rachel

And now, Matt and I are going to swim back to the Fishbowl, but we’ll see you next time with more cool places.

Announcer

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