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Mote Aquarium on City Island, Sarasota, is closed to visitors as we turn our full attention toward preparing to open Mote Science Education Aquarium (Mote SEA).
FAQ about Mote SEA

Manatees exhibit diverse vocalizations in various behavioral contexts, but the exact role of these sounds, particularly in terms of sex-based distinctions, remains elusive. This study sought to discern the behavioral and vocal responses...
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is proud to announce the arrival of its first two manatee rehabilitation patients, Cabbage and Sleet, marking a major milestone in manatee conservation. This transfer signifies the launch of Mote’s...
Otterly Pampered: A Night out for Mom!
Whether you're a mom, celebrating a mom, or just in need of some well-deserved pampering, join us for a special evening at Mote Aquarium's Marine Mammal Center in honor of...
Manatees live in shallow, frequently turbid
waters. The sensory means by which they navigate in these
conditions are unknown. Poor visual acuity, lack of echolocation, and modest chemosensation suggest that other
modalities play an...
A photographic journey into the secret world of Florida’s beloved manatee. Winner of the CHOICE Outstanding Academic Title of the Choice ACRL Manatees, the gentle giants of Florida's lagoons and coastal habitats, can bring a smile...
Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) possess an unusual suite of adaptations to accommodate both a fully aquatic
lifestyle and an herbivorous diet, including a low metabolic rate and a very limited thermoneutral zone....
To investigate a Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) mortality event following a
red tide bloom in Southwest Florida, an RNA sequencing experiment was conducted. Gene
expression changes in white blood cells were assessed...
The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) has well-developed keratinized dental pads at the
most rostral aspect of their mouth to assist with mastication. This unique development is thought to be an
adaptive response to...
To survive cold winters, Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris) depend on artificial (i.e., power plants) and natural warm water sources such as springs and passive thermal basins. Passive thermal basins can provide critical...
Recordings of manatees were made using a bottom-mounted hydrophone located near a reef barrier reef for nine days in July of 2017 and ten days in January of 2018. To explore if and how manatee acoustic activity differs between sites,...
It's tough to be a Florida manatee right now. With declining seagrass to eat and multiple other threats from cold snaps to harmful algae, these threatened mammals need all the help they can get.
Meet a Mote Marine Laboratory scientist...
This week, Mote and FWC rescued two manatees from Sarasota, and both animals were taken to ZooTampa for rehab
It was a busy week for the rescue and rehab teams from three southwest Florida organizations as they came...
Florida International University and Mote Marine Laboratory are developing new and more efficient ways to treat manatees exposed to toxic red tide.
Through a $428,000 grant from the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration’s
Study done under USFWS permit MA770191-5.
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The resident manatees at Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium have been swimming against a current in an Endless Pool water flume — the same kind of swimmer’s “treadmill”...
Thursday, Feb. 1, Mote Aquarium's resident manatees, Hugh and Buffett, predicted the winner of the Super Bowl for the 11th year in a row.
So, who will win the big game? Well, it depends on who you ask. Buffett, who has the better...
Wednesday, Feb. 1, Mote's resident manatees, Hugh and Buffett, predicted the winner of the Super Bowl for the 10th year in a row.
So, who will win the big game? Well, it depends on who you ask. Buffett, who has the better record,...
Are you ready for some football? Mote Aquarium’s resident manatees Hugh and Buffett are! Come cheer on Mote’s manatees at 10:30 a.m. Wednesday, Feb. 1, as they predict the Super Bowl for their 10th year in a row.
Will they...
Are you ready for some football? Mote Aquarium’s resident manatees Hugh and Buffett are! Come cheer on Mote’s manatees at 10:30 a.m. Thursday, Feb. 4 as they predict the winner of the Super Bowl for the ninth year in a row.
Who...
Students from Sarasota High School visited Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium Tuesday, Dec. 1, to deliver freshly grown lettuce from their school garden to feed Mote’s resident manatees as part of a new, pilot, community-based school...
Wild About Wildlife Week
From sea turtles to manatees to sharks and more, campers will embark on a virtual learning journey. Brought to you by Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium,...
Start your day off right with a guided kayak tour of Sarasota Bay. Paddle across shallow seagrass beds and observe the wildlife that depends on this ecosystem. Soak up some sun as we look for dolphins, manatees, birds, and more! All...
Dive into Discovery with the Manatee Research Program
Join us for a special celebration of one of Florida’s most iconic marine mammals—the manatee
Mote members celebrated Mother's Day during the special event Moms, Manatees, Martinis on May 10 at Mote Aquarium. Guests enjoyed beverages generously provided by Shark Tooth Distillery, relaxed with massages, manicure stations and...
Color Our Ocean Week
From sea turtles to manatees to sharks and more, campers will embark on a colorful virtual learning journey beneath the waves. Brought to you by Mote Marine...
Fisheries bycatch is a widespread and serious issue that leads to declines of many important and threatened marine species. However, documenting the distribution, abundance,
population trends and threats to sparse populations of marine...
Veterinary medical examinations, including both physical examination and diagnostic tests, are important to monitor the health of both managed-care and wild marine mammals. However, limited species-specific reagents and assays are...
Mote Marine Laboratory & Aquarium is excited to open its doors once again on November 22 to its informal science education center, Mote Aquarium, following an 8-week-long closure due to the impacts of Hurricanes Helene and Milton,...
Mote Marine Laboratory and Aquarium (Mote) faced an unprecedented challenge as Hurricane Milton bore down on the region, just days after Hurricane Helene had already caused significant damage. The Mote...
Mote has continued to strongly believe that it is in the best interest of its resident manatee born at Miami Seaquarium, named Buffett, to have manatee companionship, and we’re pleased that the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services (USFWS),...
Mote Marine Laboratory is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a substantial grant from the U.S. National Science Foundation (NSF) and the Paul G. Allen Family Foundation to support an innovative...