The Florida manatee is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee. These are large, aquatic mammals – once mistaken for mermaids by Christopher Columbus! Once near extinction, Florida now has nearly 7,000 of these gentle giants.
They are protected under the Endangered Species Act, the U.S. Marine Mammal Protection Act, and Florida’s Endangered and Threatened Species Rule.
Manatee Facts
- Adult manatees are typically 9-10 feet long and weigh approximately 1,000 pounds, but may grow to over 13 feet long and weigh more than 3,500 pounds.
- Manatees have two front flippers that they use for steering movements and to hold vegetation while eating.
- A large, round, flattened paddle-shaped tail is used for swimming up to 15 miles-per-hour, but only for short bursts.
- Algae often grow on the backs and tails of manatees, which makes their skin color appear green or brown.
- Their nostrils are above the snout and have valves that close tightly when the manatee is underwater.
- Their small eyes have a membrane that can cover the eyes for protection.
- Their ear openings are small and have no external lobes.
- Manatees have a flexible lip pad that is used to move food into their mouths. They have back teeth (molars) for chewing but no frontal teeth.
- Manatees can hold their breath up to 20 minutes when resting, but when active, they surface to breathe every three to five minutes.
- Manatees typically live into their twenties, but, have been known to live more than 65 years.
Habitat
In Florida, the manatee lives in coastal waters, rivers, and springs. Some Florida manatees travel up the eastern coastline into Georgia, the Carolinas, and a few of them travel as far north as Massachusetts during warm months.
In the Gulf, Florida manatees can be found west through coastal Louisiana and are occasionally sighted as far west as Texas. Prior to winter’s coldest months, manatees migrate to warm water habitats in Florida. These warm-water sites include artesian springs and power plant discharge canals.
Manatee Behavior: Eaters and Sleepers
Manatees are aquatic herbivores (plant-eaters). Also known as “sea cows,” Florida manatees:
- Spend up to eight hours a day grazing on seagrasses and other aquatic plants.
- Rest from 2 to 12 hours a day, either suspended near the water’s surface or lying on the bottom.
- They are considered semi-social, sometimes traveling alone in search of food, mates, or places to rest. Except for cow/calf pairs and small mating herds, manatees do not need to travel together, though they do play and socialize when encountering other manatees.
- Eat primarily marine and freshwater vegetation.
Offspring
Manatees can breed and give birth throughout the year; however, birthing usually peaks in the spring. The gestation time for the manatee is 13 months. Manatees have a low reproductive rate, only giving birth to an average of one calf every three to five years. Females give birth to their first calf between the ages of four and seven years old. The calf will stay with the mother for up to two years.
How can you help manatees?
- Wear polarized sunglasses to spot them moving, grazing and resting in the water. Keep a lookout for the circular ripples they leave on the surface of the water.
- Follow posted manatee zones when boating.
- Observe manatees from a distance to limit disturbance. Disturbing manatees at their warm-water sites may cause them to leave these areas during the winter.
- Report injured, entangled, orphaned or dead manatees to the FWC’s Wildlife Alert Hotline: 888-404-FWCC (3922), #FWC or *FWC on your cellphone or text Tip@MyFWC.com.
Sources
November is Manatee Awareness Month!
Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. “https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/aquatic/florida-manatee/”. Accessed 11 Oct. 2019.
History.com Editors. “Columbus Mistakes Manatees for Mermaids.” History, https://www.history.com/this-day-in-history/columbus-mistakes-manatees-for-mermaids Accessed 13 Oct. 2019.
Oceana. “West Indian Manatee.” https://oceana.org/marine-life/marine-mammals/west-indian-manatee – Accessed 13 Oct. 2019.