Science · 30 August 2026

Florida manatees rely on power plant warm water to survive cold winters

Hundreds of manatees flock to the Cape Canaveral power plant's warm water discharge in winter, as cold stress below 68°F can kill them. These plants accidentally created new warm refuges when natural springs were few or damaged. Biologists are worried about this dependence, as the energy system shifts away from these coastal plants.

By BriefTea Editorial · 30 August 2026 at 11:29

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Why do manatees need warm water? How do power plants help manatees? What are 'warm refuges'?

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