A filmer captured a “manatee mating ball” on video while canoeing with a friend in Florida.

A manatee mating ball or manatee mating herd is how these aquatic mammals reproduce.

“Manatees do not form permanent pair bonds like some animal species. During breeding, a single female, or cow, will be followed by a group of a dozen or more males or bulls, forming a mating herd,” according to Save the Manatee.

At the start of the video, a group of manatees are seen clustered together in the water, which is called a manatee mating ball.

“While canoeing with a friend, we spotted a manatee mating ball,” the filmer said. “We gave them plenty of space to do their thing, but a few of them still spotted the canoe and followed us for a few minutes.”

“Since the manatee mating ball was right along the shoreline, we decided to pull the canoe up on the shoreline a safe distance away and quietly walk over to near where the manatees were,” the filmer continued. “They were oblivious to our presence and the activity lasted all day long.”

++CLIENTS PLEASE NOTE: THERE IS NO AUDIO DURING PARTS OF THIS VIDEO++

While canoeing with a friend, we spotted a manatee mating ball. We gave them plenty of space to do their thing, but a few of them still spotted the canoe and followed us for a few minutes. Since the manatee mating ball was right along the shoreline, we decided to pull the canoe up on the shoreline a safe distance away and quietly walk over to near where the manatees were. They were oblivious to our presence and the activity lasted all day long.
All spring & summer long manatees gather in mating groups like this all over the southern half of Florida. The groups can range from a few individuals to several dozen. The mating ball will usually take place in shallow water. In some places, like St Petersburg, FL they can be found all year long.