Manatees, often called “sea cows,” are found in the Gulf of Mexico. These large, gentle marine mammals inhabit the warm coastal waters.
Manatees in Gulf Waters
The West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) is native to warm coastal areas from the Eastern United States to northern Brazil. The Florida subspecies (T. m. latirostris) is primarily along the Florida coast, but individuals are observed in other Gulf states like Texas, Alabama, and Mississippi.
Manatees are herbivores, consuming aquatic plants. Their low metabolic rate and lack of blubber limit them to warm waters. Adults typically reach 10 feet and 1,000 pounds, though some exceed 13 feet and 3,000 pounds. They have a broad head with whiskers, paddle-like front flippers, and a large, flat, rounded tail.
Where Manatees Live and Travel
Manatees prefer shallow, slow-moving waters like rivers, estuaries, bays, canals, and coastal areas. They tolerate wide salinity changes. In Florida, the Crystal and Homosassa Rivers, fed by inland springs, are important locations. These springs and power plant outfalls provide warm-water refuges, essential during colder months when Gulf temperatures drop below 68°F.
Their diet consists mainly of seagrass; they consume 10% to 15% of their body weight daily, requiring access to extensive seagrass beds. During summer, manatees migrate north and west along the Gulf Coast into states like Alabama, Mississippi, and Texas. As waters cool in October, they return to central Florida’s warmer regions.
Manatee Population Health and Dangers
Gulf manatees are federally protected, listed as a threatened species under the Endangered Species Act since 2017. They face several threats.
Watercraft collisions are a leading cause of injury and death; over 90% of adult Florida manatees bear scars. These slow-moving animals often cannot avoid fast-approaching boats, leading to blunt force trauma or propeller injuries.
Habitat loss and degradation also pose challenges. Development, pollution, and harmful algal blooms, like red tides, severely impact seagrass beds, their primary food source. Red tides, caused by Karenia brevis algae, can poison manatees, leading to seizures and drowning. Cold stress is another threat, particularly during prolonged cold snaps when water temperatures fall below 68°F, causing hypothermia or death. Entanglement in fishing gear, including lines and lures, can cause severe injuries or death.
Safeguarding Gulf Manatees
Conservation efforts and regulations protect Gulf manatees.
Boating regulations, including speed zones and slow-speed areas, are implemented by agencies like the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) to reduce watercraft collisions. Boaters are encouraged to wear polarized sunglasses to spot manatees and use marked channels. Public awareness campaigns educate on responsible interactions, such as not feeding manatees and maintaining a safe distance.
Rescue and rehabilitation programs aid distressed manatees. The Manatee Rescue & Rehabilitation Partnership (MRP) rescues, rehabilitates, and releases sick or injured manatees. They provide care for animals suffering from injuries, cold stress, or red tide exposure. Habitat protection efforts focus on preserving and restoring seagrass beds and warm-water refuges, recognizing their importance for survival. Individuals can contribute by reporting injured manatees to the FWC hotline and properly disposing of fishing line in recycling bins.