Buzz
Snooty, a 69-year-old manatee from Bradenton, Florida, earned the Guinness World Record for being the oldest manatee in captivity. This achievement was all the more impressive when you consider that wild manatees usually live just 10 to 15 years. But this title was just one of the many things that made Snooty extraordinary.
Weighing in at 1,300 pounds (590 kilograms), Snooty spent his life helping scientists unlock the mysteries of manatees, proving the incredible intelligence and magnificence of these marine creatures. His life and accomplishments, from birth to death, were nothing short of remarkable.
Snooty's fame extended beyond his Guinness World Record. He served as the official mascot of Manatee County, Florida, appeared on the Captain Kangaroo show, and even had his own line of plush toys. Through his charm and appeal, he won the hearts of millions, showing that he was far more than just a sea cow. Here are 10 fascinating facts about Snooty, the world’s oldest manatee.
10. He Was Given Away by His Owner
In 1947, Snooty's mother, Lady, was rescued by Samuel Stout, who operated the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company, after she was struck by a boat in Biscayne Bay, a body of water near Miami, Florida. It was later discovered that she was expecting, and Snooty was born on July 21, 1948.
In 1949, residents of Manatee County, Florida, were preparing for 'The De Soto Celebration,' an event to honor the arrival of Spanish explorer Hernando de Soto in 1536. However, as the county was named after the manatee, the organizers were urgently looking for a manatee to feature in the celebration.
Stout rose to the occasion, securing a permit from Miami to transport Snooty to Bradenton, Florida (Link 1), a distance of 242 miles (390 kilometers). The attendees, particularly the children, quickly grew fond of Snooty, but rumors spread that Stout was using harpoons to capture manatees.
Amid these rumors, the Humane Society and Audubon Society voiced their concerns to the Florida state board about Stout's alleged cruelty. Upon reviewing official records, it was found that Stout only had a permit for one manatee, Snooty's mother. As a result, he was ordered to release Snooty. Knowing that Snooty wouldn’t survive in the wild, he entrusted him to Manatee County, specifically Bradenton, where Snooty was taken to the South Florida Museum, where he stayed for the remainder of his life.
9. Born aboard a Danish warship
The Prins Valdemar, constructed in Helsingør, Denmark, in 1892, served a variety of roles over its 60 years of service. During the Mexican Revolution, it was involved in gun running, later acting as a blockade runner in World War I. It also transported coconuts between Nicaragua and New York.
In 1922, Richard Walters, a commander of U.S. Army Hot Air Balloons, and George Risen, a New York hotelier, purchased the Prins Valdemar. They had plans to transform the ship into a floating cabaret, offering hotel rooms, dining, and entertainment for the growing Miami population.
However, on January 10, 1926, the ship capsized in the basin due to receding tides and strong winds. After six weeks, the ship was recovered from the water. Despite this setback, Walters remained determined to realize his vision of converting the ship into a profitable venture. After two years of fundraising, the Prins Valdemar aquarium opened on May 1, 1928, later becoming the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company, where Snooty was born.
8. Snooty Wasn't Always Known by That Name
When Snooty arrived in 1948, he went by a completely different name. Initially, Samuel Stout named him 'Baby,' which was certainly a unique choice. However, when 'Baby' was relocated to Bradenton, he became 'Baby Snoots,' a clever nod to the mischievous character played by Fanny Brice in the 1912 theater production.
In his twenties, 'Baby Snoots' evolved into simply 'Snooty,' as he grew out of the nickname that once felt too juvenile.
7. The Fate of His Mother Remains a Mystery
While Samuel Stout had to part with Snooty, his mother, Lady, stayed at the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company under Stout's care.
In 1949, the city of Miami declared the 21-year-old aquarium “outdated” and chose not to renew its lease. The aquarium was given a mere 90 days to shut down, leaving little time to relocate the 2,500 animals living there. Unable to sell or rehome them within such a tight timeframe, all animals—including an 8-foot nurse shark and Lady—were released into Biscayne Bay, never to be seen again.
6. More Human Than Manatee
Though Snooty was a manatee, his distinct traits, preferences, and behaviors made him appear more human than aquatic mammal. He had his unique likes in food, music, and even women, and served as a “mother figure” to the rehabilitated manatees that came to live with him over the years. Snooty was even known to sleep on his back, flippers crossed over his chest, in a distinctly human-like pose.
In the wild, manatees are known to eat fruits like oranges or melons that have fallen into the water. However, Snooty was particular about his fruit preferences. He adored pineapples and strawberries but would notably refuse bananas.
Snooty also had a unique taste in music. An informal experiment was conducted to observe how manatees would react to music. When songs by Micheal Buble and Elvis Presley played, Snooty would rise to the surface, rest on his flippers, and listen intently to the full song. However, genres like rock and rap had no effect on him.
Snooty's tastes extended beyond food and music to his preference in women, which was intriguing given that manatees have poor eyesight. Nonetheless, Snooty could easily recognize his trainers by sight rather than sound, and he showed a special fondness for blonde women, particularly actress Tippi Hedren—star of Hitchcock’s The Birds—who visited him multiple times.
Although Snooty was male, he displayed nurturing traits that proved invaluable to the South Florida Museum and the other manatees that came under its care. Over his lifetime, 33 manatees requiring rehabilitation were placed in his tank. Like any young animal in a new and unfamiliar environment, they needed an adult figure to help them adjust. Snooty provided that comforting presence, aiding them in acclimating to their new surroundings.
5. Large (and Famous) Fanbase
Bradenton, Florida, may not be considered a large city, with a population of 55,905, but it attracted millions of visitors from across the U.S. and around the world to meet its most famous resident—Snooty. In July 2013, more than 6,000 people gathered at the South Florida Museum to celebrate Snooty's 65th birthday.
Beyond the many visitors each year, Snooty also welcomed numerous celebrity guests. In addition to Tippi Hedren, Robert Ripley and former first lady Eleanor Roosevelt visited him. Snooty's fanbase was not confined to Florida or even the U.S.; he also enjoyed a significant following in Germany, over 4,787 miles (7,705 kilometers) away from his home.
4. Invaluable Information to Scientists
Manatees had previously been thought to be unintelligent, so there was limited scientific research on them. However, Snooty disproved these myths by participating in studies that examined manatee brain activity, reproduction, and responses to environmental stimuli.
A manatee's brain, about the size of a softball, is smooth and lacks the folds typical of a human brain. As a result, manatees were once believed to have minimal brain activity. This theory was debunked after Snooty took part in several research projects. Scientists discovered that he could recall the voices of his previous trainers and the techniques they taught him. In one experiment, Snooty was able to complete tasks typically performed by dolphins. In another, Snooty and two other manatees from the Lowry Park Zoo in Tampa, Florida, participated in a paddle-tapping experiment to assess cognitive and long-term memory. While the Lowry Park Zoo manatees took six weeks to complete the tasks, Snooty finished in just two weeks.
Snooty played a vital role in helping the University of Florida confirm their theory on how male manatees can detect female manatees in heat. The research suggested that female manatees release hormones through their urine, which male manatees can sense. When female manatee urine was introduced into Snooty's tank, his reaction was unmistakable. He became highly excited, performing barrel rolls and swimming at a much faster pace, clearly indicating his attraction to the female scent.
One of the most significant studies that Snooty took part in tested his ability to hear and see, aiming to explore the connection between manatees' hearing and their response to underwater stimuli. With boat injuries and fatalities a common danger to manatees in the wild, the results of this experiment were invaluable in helping boaters better understand how to avoid these animals in the waterways. The study confirmed that manatees can hear boat motors, and they tend to swim to the left when startled by the sound.
3. A Living Tribute
Following the heartbreaking news of Snooty's passing, tributes poured in from fans around the world and Bradenton city officials. Many shared their condolences via social media, while others visited the museum, leaving flowers, cards, and lettuce as a gesture of respect and admiration for Snooty.
A living memorial was established on the South Florida Museum website to honor Snooty's remarkable contributions. Having spent nearly seventy years advancing scientific research and manatee conservation, the memorial featured a detailed timeline of his life and accomplishments. It also provided a space for his admirers to post photos and heartfelt messages in his memory.
In addition to the living memorial, the South Florida Museum held a special Snooty Memorial Open House on September 24, 2017, where visitors had the chance to experience a visual tribute dedicated to the beloved manatee. The event also gave attendees the opportunity to create memorial projects to honor Snooty's lasting legacy.
2. Passed Away the Day After His 69th Birthday
Since 1993, Snooty’s birthday had been celebrated annually at the South Florida Museum, drawing large crowds year after year. His 69th birthday was no exception, as he enjoyed a special ‘cake’ made of pineapple, strawberries, and carrots, while hundreds of fans gathered to sing ‘Happy Birthday’ to him. Tragically, the joy of the celebration quickly turned to grief when, just one day later, museum officials announced his unexpected death.
Unfortunately, Snooty was found in a section of his tank designated for the plumbing of the life-support system. An access panel that is normally secured became loose, allowing him to swim into the area, but he was unable to escape. In light of this, the museum paused its operations for the rest of the day, allowing both staff and fans to mourn his loss and to conduct an investigation into the events surrounding his passing.
1. Target of Death Hoaxes
Although Snooty had a massive following, there were still some skeptics who couldn’t accept the idea that he could live for as long as he did. Some even went as far as accusing the South Florida Museum of quietly swapping Snooty with other manatees without informing the public.
