Imagine living with this on your back 😬 What we are seeing here is barnacles on the back of a Manatee. The manatee was drinking some fresh water with its back exposed above water. Everyone was enthralled by the manatee itself, which of course was amazing. But I was fascinated by the creepy crawlers on its back 🤣 No worries, the barnacles will drop off when the manatee goes into fresh water. Flamingo Marina, Everglades National Park #wildlife #manatee #weird #creepy #animalfacts #nature #evergl

National Geographic Photo Ark ZSL EDGE of Existence Fellow Jamal Galves has cared about manatee conservation since he was 11 years old. As a marine biologist, he is working to save these gentle giants that are under threat from drowning in fishing nets and collisions with boats in his home country of Belize. #EarthDay | National Geographic Society