Florida Manatees

The manatee viewing centre in tampa is another great place to see manatees in florida.

Florida manatees. Summer months approx. Manatee population in the united states reached a low in the 1970 s during which only a few hundred individuals lived in the nation. As of february 2016 6 250 manatees were reported swimming in florida s springs. From above the water s surface the animal s nose and nostrils are often the only thing visible.

It is a similar principle to manatee park fort myers the manatees are drawn to the warm water of the power plant. 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. Some wild manatees become accustomed to humans and will swim among snorkelers and anchored boats seeking to be rubbed and scratched. During the winter months manatees head for warm waters such as springs and power plant discharge basins.

Viewing platforms tidal walkways and an environmental education center are located at this 50 acre facility. Their front flippers help them steer or sometimes crawl through shallow water. 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. Florida manatee present in kings bay and crystal river nwr year round but highest aggregation november march approx.

The florida manatee trichechus manatus latirostris is a subspecies of the west indian manatee trichechus manatus manatus. The florida manatee florida s state marine mammal is a large aquatic relative of the elephant. Manatees are usually seen alone in pairs or in small groups of a half dozen or fewer animals. One of the most popular spots to see florida s famous manatee residents blue springs state park covers more than 2 600 acres.

Florida manatees have been the subject of much. Manatees are grayish brown in color and have thick wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. The florida manatee is a symbol for conservation and an extremely popular animal with the public. Manatees are herbivores feeding solely on seagrass algae and other vegetation in freshwater and estuarine systems in the southeastern united states.

They also have powerful flat tails that help propel them through the water. You cannot swim with manatees here but you are able to view them from november 1 through april 15 each year. For the remainder of the year manatees are widely dispersed in florida s waterways. The following is a list of some of the places where you can see manatees in florida.

Tourists and residents alike seek encounters with manatees in the wild or visit zoos and aquaria to view captives.