So can you teach manatees?

Notably, manatees showcase intelligence and learning abilities. Furthermore, they possess a long-term memory, allowing them to utilize their acquired knowledge for enhancing their lives. This includes fostering improved and more respectful interactions both with people and fellow manatees. Although their eyesight is not exceptional, manatees perceive color and can identify individuals. They also distinguish sounds and voices, and if provided with friendly, straightforward, and consistent instructions, they can follow them. Consequently, manatees can be trained to apply their acquired knowledge, enhancing their overall quality of life.

How long does it take to teach a manatee?

It takes between two weeks and six months to teach a manatee to behave in a certain way or develop cognitive and long-term memory. For example, a manatee can be taught to form an association between food and a whistle. Over a period of at least two weeks, the manatee will learn that when the whistle blows it is time to eat and food is ready. A manatee that has mastered the art of association of one item (a primary enforcer) with another (a secondary enforcer) can be taught to come to his own individual target (when feeling hungry). Manatees that have learned to reliably discriminate between individual targets or aspects of their environments can progress to more advanced training and behaviors.

The tendency to go left when stimulated

Various studies have been conducted to assess the vision and hearing abilities of manatees. Most of these studies started as an investigation into why so many manatees were being struck and killed by boat propellers even though the manatees were evidently capable of getting out of the way. The studies demonstrated that the problem is not that manatees have poor sight or hearing. In fact, manatees can clearly see boats and hear boat motors very well. The issue was found to be that manatees have a tendency to go left when stimulated. With this information, boaters have managed to save manatees by avoiding the left side where the manatees are likely to turn. So if you are kayaking or canoeing and see a manatee, you can avoid injuring the manatee because you are sure he will turn left.

Manatees can learn new behaviors provided they are treated tenderly and constantly to do such behaviors. They are also very curious and friendly and will most likely come to you when in the water. However, you should never disturb, harass or treat a manatee violently. For more information on how to get the most out of your swim with the manatees trip, visit the “Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees” site