Florida Manatee

If you are fortunate enough to enjoy florida s warm coastal waters and springs you might have the opportunity to see a unique species of marine mammal the florida manatee a subspecies of the west indian manatee.

Florida manatee. Florida manatees have been the subject of much. Florida manatee present in kings bay and crystal river nwr year round but highest aggregation november march approx. The florida manatee is a symbol for conservation and an extremely popular animal with the public. Florida manatees can be.

As of february 2016 6 250 manatees were reported swimming in florida s springs. Manatees are grayish brown in color and have thick wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Manatees are often referred to as sea cows because they are herbivores that graze on freshwater and. One of the most popular spots to see florida s famous manatee residents blue springs state park covers more than 2 600 acres.

Viewing platforms tidal walkways and an environmental education center are located at this 50 acre facility. It is illegal under federal and florida law to injure or harm a manatee. Manatus based on genetic and. Tourists and residents alike seek encounters with manatees in the wild or visit zoos and aquaria to view captives.

Some wild manatees become accustomed to humans and will swim among snorkelers and anchored boats seeking to be rubbed and scratched. The west indian manatee ranges along the north american east coast from florida to brazil. They also have powerful flat tails that help propel them through the water. Summer months approx.

The florida manatee a subspecies of the west indian manatee is a large slow moving marine mammal with an elongated round body and paddle shaped flippers and tail. Tampa electric s manatee viewing center is a designated manatee sanctuary to which large numbers of manatees in florida return annually to the warm discharge waters of the big bend power station. The florida manatee trichechus manatus latirostris is a subspecies of the west indian manatee trichechus manatus manatus. Located north of orlando in orange city this park is a designated manatee refuge where during winter months from november to march visitors can come and see the growing population of west indian manatees at the spring s overlooks.

The west indian manatee trichechus manatus or sea cow also known as north american manatee is the largest surviving member of the aquatic mammal order sirenia which also includes the dugong and the extinct steller s sea cow it is further divided into two subspecies the florida manatee t. Latirostris and the antillean or caribbean manatee t. Their front flippers help them steer or sometimes crawl through shallow water. Manatees are herbivores feeding solely on seagrass algae and other vegetation in freshwater and estuarine systems in the southeastern united states.