Manatee Awareness

Manatee Awareness

Manatees are large marine mammals that inhabit slow rivers, canals, saltwater bays, estuaries, and coastal areas. They are a migratory species, inhabiting the Florida waters during the winter and moving as far north as Virginia and as far west as Texas in the warmer summer months. Manatees are calm herbivores that spend most of their time eating, sleeping, and traveling. They have a lifespan of about 60 years with no known natural enemies. Most of their deaths are the result of human activity, particularly watercraft collisions. In the past, manatees were exploited for their meat, fat, and hides. However, the most significant challenge manatees face today is the loss of habitat. Manatees were once very widespread, but coastal development and poaching has significantly reduced the size of their population. There are currently around 3,200 manatees living in the United States.