On Saturday, July 29, the Pinellas County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) posted a video to social media showing what’s often referred to as a manatee “mating ball,” or a “mating herd.”
“If you see this…Don’t call us,” said PCSO. “They are more than fine. It’s manatee mating season.”
And, right now, the Gulf of Mexico is essentially a heart-shaped manatee hot tub.
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), as the water temperatures rise, so does manatee libido, and Florida coastal water temps are at an all-time high.
“We get calls all the time from citizens when they see this,” wrote PCSO in the videoโs caption. “We can assure you they are more than fine. Manatees often mate in herds like these and often they are near the shore… If you see this [mating herds], thereโs no need to call, they are a-okay.”
This vital “mom and dad” time is crucial for Florida manatees. The FWC reports that 378 manatees have died so far in 2023, compared to 800 total in 2022. However, the worst year for manatee deaths was back in 2021, when an estimated 1,101 died, mostly due to pollution destroying large tracts of the state’s coastal seagrass beds.
According to the FWC, manatees are considered โthreatenedโ in the state of Florida, and it is against the law to touch the animals. Manatee are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978, which states: “It is unlawful for any person, at any time, intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee.”
If you do see an actual injured or distressed manatee, then contact the FWC’s wildlife alert hotline at 1-888-404-3922.
This article appears in Jul 27 – Aug 2, 2023.

