Secrets of the Manatee offers a fascinating look at Florida's most mysterious marine creature. Floating just below the surface of the water, manatees have remained largely unknown and misunderstood by humans. Now, their very survival depends on a delicate balance between human interference and conservation. This book is written for people who care about manatees, who want to learn about them, and, ultimately, who want to save them.
This book explores the evolutionary history and fascinating biology of the manatee, asking questions such as, why do they have solid bones and marching molars? Big tummies but no blubber? Lots of friends and no enemies? And other queries like, are manatees invasive? Do they speak or squeak? Why do they have whiskers? Are they dangerous? How can we help them thrive again? This book answers these – and many more – questions about this very special mammal.
Diane Morgan has written over 42 books, mostly on dogs (she is a five-time winner of the Maxwell Award for Dog Writing) but also on Eastern religions, horses, cats, and gemstones. She has volunteered with the Save the Manatee Club, Sirenian International, the Manatee Observation and Education Center at Fort Pierce, Florida, and Harbor Branch Oceanographic Institute’s Manatee Project. She has also participated in manatee and whale rescues. In her other life, she teaches English at Indian River State College in Florida and Philosophy and Religion at Wilson College in Chambersburg, Pennsylvania.