Community Corner

Super Bowl Predictions: Mote Lab Manatees, Otters Split On Winner

The two resident river otters and two resident manatees at Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium were split in their Super Bowl LV predictions.

The two resident river otters and two resident manatees at Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium were split in their Super Bowl LV predictions.
The two resident river otters and two resident manatees at Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium were split in their Super Bowl LV predictions. (Chris McGrath/Getty Images)

SARASOTA, FL — Forget about Punxsutawney Phil, the resident otters and manatees at Mote Marine Lab and Aquarium made their annual Super Bowl predictions Tuesday.

It’s “a house divided” ahead of the Feb. 7 Super Bowl LV match-up between the hometown team Tampa Bay Buccaneers and the Kansas City Chiefs, Mote tweeted Tuesday.

Buffett the manatee and Jane the river otter are rooting for the Bucs, who they think will take home the Vince Lombardi Trophy this year.

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But Hugh the manatee and Pippi the river otter have teamed up to support the Chiefs, who they think are going to win the big game Sunday.

“The #Buccaneers and #Chiefs have created a split house over here at Mote! Our manatees and otters picked today and we have (two) votes for each team,” Mote tweeted. “We’ll soon find out who the prediction champs are!”

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