The Florida manatee, a Florida native and subspecies of the West Indian Manatee, has been Florida’s state marine mammal since 1975. These mammals, also known as “sea cows” are protected by both state and federal law, and although they are no longer listed on the endangered species list, their existence is still considered threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service.
Throughout the warmer months, the Florida manatee can be found throughout Florida’s waterways. During the winter months, the manatees often make their way to Florida’s natural springs and power plant discharge basins where the water tends to remain warm. These mammals’ personalities make them some of Florida’s most captivating animals to watch.
Florida’s manatees are one of two subspecies of the West Indian manatee. The other sub-species is the Antillean manatee, which are found in the Caribbean, Central American, and South American waters. The West Indian manatees are the largest of the known manatee species, weighing an average of 1,300 pounds and measuring roughly 11 feet in length.
The other two known types of manatees are the West African manatee and the Amazonian Manatee. These two species are confined to freshwater lakes and lagoons and are often found near the coasts of Africa and along the Amazon River Basin, respectively.
All manatee species are herbivores that graze along the bottom of the waterways, which they inhabit. Thus, they derived the nickname “sea cow” here in Florida. Sea cows tend to have very docile personalities and spend much of their day grazing. The biggest threat to these animals are humans, more specifically humans and their boats. Hundreds of Florida manatees are injured or killed every year due to boaters.
Florida’s manatees are one of the only manatee species identified that can live in both salt and freshwater. During the winter months, these herbivores often migrate to the state’s natural springs where the water temperature remains a relatively constant 68 to 70 degrees throughout the year. The springs also typically tend to have clearer waters, making it much easier to view aquatic animals in their natural habitats.
In Citrus County, Florida, get a great view of Crystal River manatees in their natural habitat. Whether you wish to swim with manatees, take pictures, or simply view them, Crystal River Manatee Tour & Dive offers several manatee tours to choose from.
Crystal River and Kings Bay are the only areas in the state of Florida where swimming with manatees is legally permitted; however, there are still rules and regulations that visitors must abide by. Visit the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission’s website for the rules and guidelines, and click here to find out where to see manatees in Florida.
As previously mentioned, the Florida manatee is protected by both state and federal law, and those caught breaking these laws potentially face hefty fines and/or jail time. The federal laws protecting these animals are the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973. At the state level, manatees are protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978.
In addition to legal protection, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) launched their Manatee Program, which has helped preserve the species enough to take it from an endangered species to a threatened species with the number of Florida manatees up to more 6,000 today. Those wishing to continue the growth and support of the manatee population may do so by purchasing specialty “Save the Manatee” license plates, donating to the FWC, being more cautious and aware when boating on Florida’s waterways, and getting involved as a volunteer. For more information on FWC’s manatee program, click here.
