Snooty’s Guinness World Records Edition Now on Sale

BRADENTON, FL — Fans of Bradenton’s Snooty the manatee can now read all about the creature’s accomplishments in print. The South Florida Museum announced Friday the "Guinness World Records 2017" edition, featuring Snooty, is now on sale.

Snooty was officially certified as the “world’s oldest-known manatee” back in 2015 by Guinness. He celebrated his 68th birthday at the museum he now calls home back in July 2016.

Snooty was born at the old Miami Aquarium on July 21, 1948. He first arrived in Manatee County back in 1949 as a calf nicknamed “Baby Snoots,” according to the museum. He became the county’s official mascot in 1979.

"We've had the privilege of caring for Snooty for more than 67 years," Marilyn Margold, Director of Living Collections at the Museum, said in a statement. "During his lifetime, he has taught us much about caring for manatees and about the need to support the conservation of wild manatees. Yet even after all these years, there is still much we can learn from him."

In addition to being Snooty’s home, the South Florida Museum and its Parker Manatee Aquarium are part of the Manatee Rescue and Rehabilitation Partnership. The group, originally created by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, is made up of organizations that rescue and rehabilitate manatees.

Aside from world-record fame, Snooty was featured on the “Captain Kangaroo” television show in 1982 in a documentary on manatees.

“Snooty is a one-of-a-kind animal," Brynne Anne Besio, the museum's CEO, told Patch prior to his 68th birthday celebration. "Not only does he make history every day as the Guinness certified oldest-known manatee in the world, but he also provides valuable insight into the health and life cycle of all manatees.”

The “Snooty” edition of the world records book is on sale at the museum’s gift shop for $28.95. Fans can also tune into the museum’s online SnootyCam to keep up with Snooty’s activities. For more information about the book or the museum visit it online at www.SouthFloridaMuseum.org or in person at 201 10th St. W. in Bradenton.

"Guinness World Records 2017" is also available at most major booksellers.

Photo courtesy of the South Florida Museum