manatees like warm water.  that's why, in winter, they will leave the waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic and go into the balmy waters of spring-fed lakes and rivers in Florida, where water temperatures hover around 70 degrees all winter.

well... a manatee has been spotted swimming in the Hudson River (yes, that Hudson River, as in, off Manhattan).

said a long-time resident:  "I'm 70 years old, and I've been on the river my entire life.  I've seen dolphins and everything else, but never a manatee."

See Full Story.

 so what does this mean?  without a doubt, a manatee would not be that far north if the water wasn't hot enough to keep it comfortable.

 this is further proof, if any was needed, that ocean temperatures are much higher than usual.  recently, it was confirmed that the water temperatures in the Caribbean were reaching their normal highs two months ahead of schedule, meaning the temperature would continue to climb unabbated for weeks to come.