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NEXT UP: 2nd seed West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) vs. 10th seed Aquatic Genet (Genetta piscivora) #2019MMM 
In the first round of the Waterfalls Division, we saw Manatee triumph over the Ring-tailed Vontsira via nibble and Aquatic Genet eek out a victory over the Marine Otter thanks to a close encounter of the orca kind. #2019MMM
We again find Manatee facing off against a much smaller furry reddish opponent. Will the extra three stoats the Aquatic Genet has on the Vontsira be the key to victory?? #SoVeryDifferent #SuchAdvantage #2019MMM
Congolese viverrids: What do they know? Do they know things? LET'S FIND OUT!! #2019MMM
We find ourselves in Kings Bay, FL, headwaters of Crystal River. Much like the snowbirds overwintering in FL, manatees need water >60F - manatees aren't very metabolically active & don't have much insulation, so they can die of cold stress. #2019MMM usatoday30.usatoday.com/news/nation/20…
This means that Manatee may end up near powerstations & other anthropogenic locations over the winter. #actuallivingscientist Dr. Chanda Littles studied how the availability of nearby food sources could change manatee behavior as part of her PhD. researchgate.net/profile/Chanda…
As the sun sets over the Crystal River National Wildlife Refugre, we spot an Aquatic Genet shaking off cold ocean water. Genet takes a moment to absorb the last sunrays as the sky turns a beautiful crimson. (#MidwesternDayDreams) #2019MMM
Comfortable in a climate very similar to its own, the rare viverrid starts to hunt in the salt marsh. From the sandbank, the Genet starts tapping her bare pawpads on the water. #2019MMM
By tapping on the water, Genet hopes to startle some small fish. While the fish won't jump the same way we do, they'll move quickly enough to create vibrations in the water - Genet can use those to figure out where her next snack will come from. #2019MMM
Genet dips her whiskers into the water, using them to sense the vibration of any delicious morsels. Not finding anything, she moves down the bank repeating the process again. And again. And again. #2019MMM
Genet furiously taps the water, there must be something to scare up, right?? #2019MMM
The next time Genet dips her whiskers in the water, she's got something! She dips her head in the water to check out the scene. #2019MMM
Manatee heard/felt Genet's taps with their vibrissae. They've got bad eyes on a bright day in clear water, nevermind in this brackish water at nightfall. Manatee gets in close to investigate the source of the vibrations. #2019MMM nytimes.com/2006/08/29/sci…
Genet jumps nearly 3 feet high when she sees the immense curious manatee approach. She tumbles into the salty water on her way down. #2019MMM
Aquatic Genet scrambles back up the bank & flees the field of battle. #2019MMM
MANATEE STARTLES AWAY AQUATIC GENET #2019MMM
