The Coolest Stuff on the Planet
HowStuffWorks clears a trail for world explorers and armchair travelers alike.
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Recent Postings by Category
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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.
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