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| Sometimes manatees are named for very different
reasons. Tithonus (pronounced Tith-a-nus) was named for a
character in Greek mythology. In this particular myth,
Tithonus had asked Zeus for the gift of immortality. It
came, as all gifts from the gods did, with strings
attached. He became immortal, but he continued to age,
and age and age. Because Tithonus continues to return to
Blue Spring each year, surviving all of the many threats
to his existence, the researchers felt this name was
appropriate. Although researchers have been able to discover that there is a relationship between the number of annual growth rings in a manatee's ear bone and their age, they have not yet arrived with a completely reliable method to tell how old living manatees are, unless their year of birth is known, We think Tithonus is now over 20 years old. Researchers speculate that manatees can live to be 60 years old. Tithonus is not quite immortal but, hopefully he will live a long, full and happy life. It is easy to distinguish Tithonus from the other manatees at the spring. His back bears a very distinctive scar pattern, similar to a row of portholes along his left side. 1996-1997: Tithonus put an end to his early bird streak this year by not showing up until Thanksgiving day. But he didn't show up with any new injuries, so we are happy with that news. He made a total of 20 visits this year, which is a row number for our manatee friend. However, it was a warm winter in Florida, so several manatees didn't make as many visits, and many left early for the season. Ranger Wayne reported that Tithonus looked good, and that he had been in often to visit during his short stay at the spring. Like the other manatees, Tithonus left early. On February 17, he left in the company of 13 other manatees. 1995-1996: Tithonus kept his "early bird" streak going this year, showing up on November 16 in quite a crowd. It was the most notable day of the season because Tithonus and his manatee buddies Brutus, Dec, Elaine, Floyd, Margarito, Paddy Doyle and Philip all came in together. Dependable as always, Tithonus made 32 visits and was only late for roll call once, when he participated in a big manatee panic and didn't come back in until the count was over. We are happy to report Tithonus did not show up with any new injuries this year. He looked happy and healthy. This year he gave us a nice long visit. Tithonus didn't leave until March 24, the very last day of the manatee season at Blue Spring. 1994-1995: Tithonus was an early bird this year, showing up on the first day of the manatee season at Blue Spring State Park with his buddies Lucille, Brutus, Philip, and Shane. Manatees are "semi-social" animals, which means they can travel alone or in small, informal groups. Tithonus must be one of those manatees that likes to travel in groups! Unfortunately, Tithonus received an injury during the summer, but don't worry. Ranger Wayne said that Tithonus has three cuts on his right side, but they are so small and so oddly arranged that he is not even sure they were from a boat. Tithonus made a solid 34 visits and left as he came -- departing early on February 15. 1993-1994: Tithonus came in on November 2 this year, in the company of Boomer, Flash, Merlin, Philip, Phyllis, and Robin. He was one of the earliest manatees to show up. We are happy to report that Tithonus has no new scars this year, although Ranger Wayne says that he has so many old ones, it is hard to notice new ones. After a mild winter, Tithonus took off for the summer on March 13. He made 33 visits during the season -- a very respectable showing! 1992-1993: Tithonus showed up for the season in a manatee party that included Boomer, Dec, and Margarito. He arrived on November 16. He bears a couple of prop slashes on his tail, but looks all right. Tithonus came in for a total of 25 times. 1991-1992: Tithonus came in with Brutus on November 8 and had 36 roll calls to his credit before heading out on March 19. He endured some fresh small scratches that should vanish soon. He was gone much of the winter, especially toward the end of the season. He was probably spending his time with some lovely young mermaid! (Manatees were once believed to be mermaids. After many months at sea, the sailors saw the manatees and believed them to be beautiful sea creatures.) 1990-1991: On July 28, 1991, Tithonus and several other of the adoptees were seen frolicking in the spring run. He was late this season and didn't come in until December along with Deep Dent, Merlin, Robin and Troy. On the day of his departure, March 19, he was so frisky, what with spring being in the air and all, that he chased the research canoe almost to the spring boil. 1989-1990: Tithonus' injuries from last season healed well, including some he received this past summer. He came in on October 31, appeared 22 times, and left unscarred on March 7. 1988-1989: Because of the mild winter, many of the manatees who frequent Blue Spring were not observed as often as in past years. Tithonus survived some new scars this year. He now has a light skeg cut on his right side and has had the left side of his tail trimmed off. Despite this, he looks good. He spent a lot of time hanging around with Nick before leaving on March 13. His final roll call tally (morning nose count) for this year was 26. 1987-1988: Tithonus departed on March 23. He made 36 roll calls this year. Other than appearing with all three estrus herds, he was quiet this season. 1986-1987: Tithonus came in with Doc on December 8. He was looking good. He was present for 42 roll calls. On March 13, he showed up with a small multi-prop wound near his head. He left with his buddy, Doc, on April 1. 1985-1986: Tithonus arrived on December 8 and departed on March 11. He made 26 appearances and appeared to have a touch of fungus when he left. He suffered a few propeller scars around the end of January, but they were not bad. |
