Matt Manatee: Ocala/Marion students describe their favorite marine animals
Editor's note: Because of a production issue, the Matt Manatee page was not published in print on March 24. It is now scheduled to publish in print on March 27.
Dear Friends,
I had so much fun hearing about all of your favorite sea animals! It is so wonderful to see that so many of you love our spectacular ocean life! I myself got the chance to catch up with many of my marine friends because it was spring break! Say, what did you all do for spring break? I would love to hear about any crazy adventures or relaxed days you had!
Your friend,
Matt
Editor's note: Please send letters, pictures and jokes to calendar@starbanner.com and write "Matt Manatee" in the message line. The deadline is 5 p.m. Friday, March 31. A selection will be published on Friday, April 14. We are not providing T-shirts any longer.
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a sea turtle. Sea turtles start out the size of a ping-pong ball! They are my favorite marine animal because turtles are one of the few reptiles that live in the sea !
Your friend,
Lailiana Alfred
Second grade, Marion Charter School
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a dolphin. I love dolphins because one time my mom looked at the news and the news said that a dolphin saved a person from a shark !
Your friend,
Olivia Counts
Second grade, Marion Charter School
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a Narwhal. I love the Narwhal because they have a horn like a unicorn.
Your friend,
Gabby Elliot
First grade, Sparr Elementary
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a penguin. They are fun to watch when they slide in the water.
Your friend,
Fabian Davila
Second grade, Romeo Elementary
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a Goliath Grouper. I like it because it is colorful.
Your friend,
Jace Mackenzie
Second grade, Romeo Elementary
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a Jellyfish. One time I went to the beach and I saw a Jellyfish glow!
Your friend,
Melissa Warner
Second grade, Romeo Elementary
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a Manatee. One reason is because Manatees are endangered. Another reason is because Manatees are like Cows. A final reason is because Manatees are mammals. As you can see, Manatees are my favorite marine animal.
Your friend,
Paige Guerts
Second grade, Sparr Elementary
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is the Mako Shark. One reason is because the Mako Shark is the fastest Shark. Another reason is because most sharks are cold-blooded, but Mako’s are warm-blooded. A final reason is because Mako’s use their strong tails to zoom after prey. As you can see, Mako Sharks are my favorite marine animal.
Your friend,
Carsyn Hamilton
Second grade, Sparr Elementary
Dear Matt,
My favorite sea animal is a Tiger Shark. I like Tiger Sharks because their fins are sharp and it’s name is cool, I like Tigers!
Your friend,
Shepherd Kail
First grade, St. John Lutheran
Dear Matt,
My favorite sea animal is a Dolphin. Dolphins are my favorite because they love people.
Your friend,
Veronique Colombe
First grade, Saint John Lutheran
Dear Matt,
My favorite sea animal is a Turtle. Turtles are my favorite because they blend in with the seaweed.
Your friend,
Greyson Schiller
First grade, St. John Lutheran
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animals are Sharks and Sea Otters. I like the Sea Otter because I like that it eats Sea Urchins. I like the Shark because I like how they protect the Ocean.
Your friend,
Cameron Wells
Second grade, Cornerstone School
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a Colossal Squid. Their species dive deep in the Ocean and their eyes are as big as your head!
Your friend,
Sawyer Wise
Second grade, Cornerstone School
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is a Crab because it is strong and fierce. It also hurts people because it is mean and it has sharp claws!
Your friend,
Jasleen Virk
Second grade, Cornerstone School
Dear Matt,
My favorite marine animal is the ClownFish. I like when they swim around sea anemones, it’s kind of cute. They live in coral reefs and forests. I even like that they don’t eat other fish! They are one of the hundreds, maybe thousands of tropical fish!
Your friend,
Douglas Weber
Second grade, Cornerstone School
This article originally appeared on Ocala Star-Banner: Local students tell Matt Manatee all about their favorite marine life
