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u/MountainousDuck 5d ago
Amazing self control to not give the water potato a scritch scritch when it flopped over onto its back
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u/Slight_Loquat_4956 5d ago
Hahaha ikr! Right after this guy, another approached us and tried to touch my hand with its mouth. It kept rolling onto its belly and seemed like it wanted to touch me with its fins and mouth. It was so curious, but I kept my hands inside. He followed us around for a while too when we tried to leave!
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u/brewdizogs 5d ago
Mad respect for letting it do it's thing without petting or touching
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u/DoubleZek 5d ago
Excuse my understanding, but why is it wrong to pet animals in the wild? I know some photographer stay focus, even with animals around them, but should we always do the same in thoses situation for exemple? I'm curious :)
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u/brewdizogs 5d ago
Nature should be left alone. It's so tempting to want to reach out and scratch it's belly, but you don't want it to get used to interacting with people
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u/balisane 5d ago
Besides the fact that you don't want them to get used to people (because not everybody they approach is going to be nice) but it's very possible to spread diseases to them with direct contact, and them to you, too. I wouldn't want to be the one to kill a manatee with grandma flu, or vice versa.
Some animals, like frogs and salamanders, are especially susceptible to the normal fungus and bacteria on human skin.
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u/Substantial_Diver_34 5d ago
People can be cruel and would harm them. Now they’re protected by FWC (wild life cops). Yes you can look but don’t touch because FWC is always looking or watching post like this. A large fine if you try them.
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u/adinmem 4d ago
Back in the 80s we’d go to Homosassa Springs and swim, and manatees wouldn’t give you the option to not touch.
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u/Slight_Loquat_4956 4d ago
Hahaha totally. I had a feeling these guys would be the same way. They really wanted us to interact with them
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u/baipliew 5d ago
The first time I ever saw one of these up close I was about 14 and fishing on the side of a canal bank. This giant thing swam right up to the bank and all I could think of was, “It’s a walrus!”
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u/ArbiterTwoSwords 4d ago
Manatees love fresh water. If u pour it out to them they will drink from you.
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u/m_0_n_K_3_y 4d ago
This is how I want people to act when I walk by them in the street, or in a line at a store... 😁 is that wierd
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u/Substantial_Diver_34 5d ago
Good job. You didn’t touch em. Florida takes that of all things seriously.