Snooty was born in captivity in Miami 64 years ago Saturday.BRADENTON (FOX 13) -
One of Manatee County's most popular attractions celebrated a birthday on Saturday.
Snooty is a Florida Manatee who resides at the South Florida Museum in Bradenton.
The 9'8'' long, 1,200-pound aquatic mammal turned 64 and a party was held in his honor.
Officials with the museum say Snooty even has a birth certificate because he was born in captivity on July 21, 1948. The celebration included a feast of his favorite food – approximately 75 pounds of romaine lettuce.
According to a media release Snooty was originally named ‘Baby Snooks,' after a popular radio character from the late 1940s.
The young calf lived at the Miami Aquarium with his mother, Lady, for about a year when the attraction's operator taught the pair to do some tricks.
Snooty was brought to Bradenton in 1949 for the DeSoto Heritage Festival. He was housed in a 30,000 gallon tank at the Bradenton Municipal Pier, which eventually became the South Florida Museum.
Hundreds of men, women and children attended Saturday's party.
"Snooty is such a beloved member of the community," said Brynne Anne Besio, the South Florida Museum's Executive Director. "I love hearing the stories from people who come to the Birthday Bash about the special times in their lives that they associate with Snooty - birthdays, weddings, family gatherings, and, of course, visiting with their school."
