Manatees, often called “gentle giants,” are inherently docile and generally do not pose a danger to people. Their calm, non-aggressive nature means they are more likely to display curiosity than hostility when encountering humans in their aquatic environments.
The Gentle Giants
Manatees are primarily herbivorous, feeding on aquatic plants like seagrasses. Their diet means they lack physical adaptations for aggressive behavior or predation, possessing only grinding molars. These slow-moving creatures spend much of their day grazing, resting, and traveling, contributing to their peaceful demeanor. They are not aggressive, even when threatened, and their primary instinct is to retreat from perceived danger.
Manatees are naturally curious and may approach swimmers or boats without aggressive intent. Their tranquil disposition is evident in this approachability. Their physical characteristics, including a large, soft body and a paddle-shaped tail, are adapted for navigating aquatic environments and consuming their plant-based diet, not for attacking.
Accidental Encounters
While manatees are not aggressive, their considerable size means unintentional contact can occur. An adult manatee can reach lengths of 9 to 13 feet and weigh over 1,000 pounds, with some exceeding 3,500 pounds. Due to their mass and slow movement, a manatee might accidentally bump into a person in crowded waters, which can be startling. Such incidents are rare and result from their large size, not deliberate harmful intent.
A more common scenario of accidental harm involves human activities, particularly boat collisions. Manatees are vulnerable to propeller strikes and hull impacts due to their slow swimming speed and tendency to inhabit shallow waters. These collisions are a leading cause of manatee mortality and injury, often resulting in severe blunt force trauma or propeller wounds. While manatees can move quickly in short bursts if startled, their typical cruising speed of 2 to 6 miles per hour makes it difficult for them to avoid fast-moving vessels.
Respecting Manatees and Their Habitat
Responsible human behavior is important for the safety of both manatees and people. Observing manatees from a distance is important; stay at least 50 feet away to avoid disturbing them.
Feeding or providing water to manatees is illegal. This can alter their natural foraging behaviors, making them accustomed to human presence and vulnerable to harm, such as boat strikes.
Touching, chasing, or harassing manatees is prohibited by law under acts like the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act. These protections aim to prevent stress and behavioral changes. Boaters should adhere to designated slow speed and no-wake zones in manatee habitats to reduce collision risk. If an injured, sick, or dead manatee is sighted, report it immediately to wildlife authorities.