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Often called the Gentle Giants, or Sea Cows, the West Indian Manatee that graces Florida waters has only one natural enemy, man. This slow-moving, air breathing mammal must come to the surface every 3-5 minutes for a breath, causing it to be a prime target for the powerboats that cruise along the St. John's River. Weighing as much as a ton with an average length of 10 feet, this gentle creature is completely herbivorous, consuming as much as 10-15% of their body weight daily in aquatic plants.
Description: Often referred to as a Sea Cow because of their massive size, with an average length of 9 to 10 feet and weighing about a ton. Some manatee have been known to reach a length of 13 feet and weigh more than 3,000 lbs. Their large, seal-like body that is covered with thick wrinkled skin and sparse body hair, is actually very muscular. The manatee is able to get about with the help of two forelimbs, each with three to four toenails on each and its powerful flat tail.
Reproduction: A male manatee manatee matures around the age of 9 while a female will mature around the age of 6, after which she will produce a calf every 2 to 5 years. The gestation period is 13 months, with a newborn weighing about 40 pounds. A nursing calf will stay with its mother for about two years, during which time it will put on about 700 pounds.
Behavior: A non-aggressive, slow-moving creature, hence the nickname, Gentle Giant, the manatee spend most of their time eating, resting and in travel. In order to consume up to 100 pounds of vegetation daily, the manatee will graze for food along water bottoms and just below the surface.
Habitat and Range: Usually found in shallow rivers, estuaries, costal waterways and canals, the West Indian manatees will migrate from Florida's warm winter waters as far north as Virginia during the summer months. The manatee require the warm waters since they can easily contract pneumonia and die after extended exposure in water temperatures below 60 degrees.
Legal Protection:The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and The Endangered Species Act of 1973 make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. Florida has actually legislated protection for the West Indian manatee since 1893, passing the revised Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 that makes it unlawful to "intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee." Fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 60 days will be enforced for anyone convicted of violating this law. If convicted at the federal level, fines can increase to $50,000 with up to one year in prison.
There are only about 3000 West Indian Manatee alive today. Remember that this animal is endangered so please stay at least 50 feet away, and always use extreme caution with power boats in areas that the manatee travel.
Next page > Blue Springs State Park
Often called the Gentle Giants, or Sea Cows, the West Indian Manatee that graces Florida waters has only one natural enemy, man. This slow-moving, air breathing mammal must come to the surface every 3-5 minutes for a breath, causing it to be a prime target for the powerboats that cruise along the St. John's River. Weighing as much as a ton with an average length of 10 feet, this gentle creature is completely herbivorous, consuming as much as 10-15% of their body weight daily in aquatic plants.
Description: Often referred to as a Sea Cow because of their massive size, with an average length of 9 to 10 feet and weighing about a ton. Some manatee have been known to reach a length of 13 feet and weigh more than 3,000 lbs. Their large, seal-like body that is covered with thick wrinkled skin and sparse body hair, is actually very muscular. The manatee is able to get about with the help of two forelimbs, each with three to four toenails on each and its powerful flat tail.
Reproduction: A male manatee manatee matures around the age of 9 while a female will mature around the age of 6, after which she will produce a calf every 2 to 5 years. The gestation period is 13 months, with a newborn weighing about 40 pounds. A nursing calf will stay with its mother for about two years, during which time it will put on about 700 pounds.
Behavior: A non-aggressive, slow-moving creature, hence the nickname, Gentle Giant, the manatee spend most of their time eating, resting and in travel. In order to consume up to 100 pounds of vegetation daily, the manatee will graze for food along water bottoms and just below the surface.
Habitat and Range: Usually found in shallow rivers, estuaries, costal waterways and canals, the West Indian manatees will migrate from Florida's warm winter waters as far north as Virginia during the summer months. The manatee require the warm waters since they can easily contract pneumonia and die after extended exposure in water temperatures below 60 degrees.
Legal Protection:The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and The Endangered Species Act of 1973 make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill any marine mammal. Florida has actually legislated protection for the West Indian manatee since 1893, passing the revised Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 that makes it unlawful to "intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass, or disturb any manatee." Fines of up to $1,000 and/or imprisonment for up to 60 days will be enforced for anyone convicted of violating this law. If convicted at the federal level, fines can increase to $50,000 with up to one year in prison.
There are only about 3000 West Indian Manatee alive today. Remember that this animal is endangered so please stay at least 50 feet away, and always use extreme caution with power boats in areas that the manatee travel.
Next page > Blue Springs State Park
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