The Florida Manatee

They average a length of ten to twelve feet, and weigh 1,500-1,800 lbs.

Calves are born weighing between 60 and 70 pounds and measuring about three to four feet. They nurse underwater.


Manatee Love, ACEO Painting by Linda Hoxie






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Manatees are herbivores (plant-eaters), feeding on a large variety of submerged, emergent, and floating plants. Seagrass beds and freshwater submerged aquatic vegetation are important feeding sites for manatees.

Manatees can eat 10 - 15% of their body weight in vegetation daily. A 453-kilogram (1,000-pound) manatee, for example, would probably eat between 45-68 kilograms (100 - 150 pounds) of food a day.

These are some of the foods they eat:

Marine Vegetation
Syringodium filiforme/Manatee grass
Thalassia testudinum/Turtle grass
Halodule wrightii/Shoal grass
Ruppia maritima/Widgeon grass
Freshwater Vegetation
Hydrilla verticillata/Hydrilla*
Vallisneria neotropicalis/Tapegrass, Eelgrass
Eichhornia crassipes/Water hyacinth
Pistia stratiotes/Water lettuce
*Non-native, or exotic, vegetation


Manatee Family, Oil ACEO by Linda Hoxie

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The largest population of manatees is found in Florida, where there are over 3,000 individuals.

West Indian manatees have no natural enemies, and it is believed they can live 60 years or more. Many manatee mortalities are human-related. Most human-related manatee mortalities occur from collisions with watercraft. Other causes of human-related manatee mortalities include being crushed and/or drowned in canal locks and flood control structures; ingestion of fish hooks, litter and monofilament line; and entanglement in crab trap lines. Ultimately, however, loss of habitat is the most serious threat facing manatees today. There are approximately 3,000 West Indian manatees left in the United States.


Mr Manatee, a watercolor by Linda Hoxie

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¨ Manatees only have molars to grind their
food.
¨ Manatees chew two times per second.
¨ Manatee teeth are constantly being replaced as
they wear down and fall out.
¨ The intestine of an adult manatee can measure
130 feet long.
¨ Manatees only breath through their nostrils.
¨ Manatee can hold their breath for up to 24
minutes.
¨ Manatee lungs are 2/3 the length of its body.
¨ A manatee cannot turn its head sideways, it
must turn its whole body.
¨ It takes 13 months for a manatee to be born.
¨ Calves spend two years with their mothers
learning the migration routes.


Manatee ~Hanging Around~ Oil ACEO by Linda Hoxie

Manatees take up residence primarily in Florida's coastal waters during winter. Some individuals migrate as far north as the Carolinas or as far west as Louisiana in summer. In recent years, a manatee traveled to New York and another swam up the Mississippi River!

Behavior:





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Manatees can be found in the warm waters of shallow rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal waters. Rarely do individuals venture into waters that are below 68 degrees Fahrenheit. Well known for their gentle, slow-moving nature, manatees have also been known to body surf or barrel roll when playing. They normally rest and feed often. Manatees communicate by squealing under water to demonstrate fear, stress or excitement.


(Manatee - Endangered species - By Artist Linda Hoxie

Reproduction
The reproductive rate for manatees is slow. Female manatees are not sexually mature until about five years of age, and males are mature at approximately nine years of age. On average, one calf is born every two to five years, and twins are rare. The gestation period is about a year. Mothers nurse their young for one to two years, so a calf may remain dependent on its mother during that time.

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Threats
Destruction and degradation of their coastal and freshwater habitat. The leading known cause of death is by boat strikes; propellers and hulls inflict serious or mortal wounds. Most manatees have a pattern of scars on their backs or tails after surviving collisions with boats. Scientists use these patterns to identify individuals. Manatees are also vulnerable to cold water. They have been found crushed or drowned in flood-control gates and suffer harm from exposure to toxic red tide. In addition, a large number of manatees die from unknown causes each year.






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Legal Status/Protection

Federally listed as Endangered and state listed as Endangered. *Endangered Species Act; **Marine Mammal Protection Act; Florida Endangered and Threatened Species Act; Florida Administrative Code; Florida Marine Sanctuary Act; ***CITES Appendix 1.


(Manatee - By Artist Linda Hoxie)

* The Endangered Species Act requires the US federal government to identify species threatened with extinction, identify habitat they need to survive, and help protect both. In doing so, the Act works to ensure the basic health of our natural ecosystems and protect the legacy of conservation we leave to our children and grandchildren.






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** The Marine Mammal Protection Act prohibits, with certain exceptions, the take of marine mammals in U.S. waters and by U.S. citizens on the high seas, and the importation of marine mammals and marine mammal products into the U.S.

What can you do to help?

If boating follow these tips:

When Boating

Wear polarized sunglasses. They can help eliminate the glare of the sun and enable you to see below the water's surface.

Stay in deep water channels when boating. Avoid boating over seagrass beds and shallow areas where manatees might be feeding. However, be aware that manatees also use deep water channels when traveling.

Look for a snout, back, tail, or flipper breaking the surface of the water. A swirl or flat spot on the water is also created by the motion of the manatee's tail when it dives or swims.

If you see a manatee when operating a powerboat, remain a safe distance away -- 50 feet is the suggested minimum. If you want to observe the manatee, cut the motor, but don't drift over the animal.






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If you like to jet-ski, water-ski, or participate in high-speed watersports, choose areas that manatees do not or cannot frequent, such as land-locked lakes or waters well offshore.

Obey posted speed zone signs and keep away from posted manatee sanctuaries.

The propeller scars on Flicker's back (above) are vivid reminders of what can happen
when a manatee meets up with a boat. (Photo courtesy FWCC.)

"Look, but don't touch" is the best policy when swimming or diving. By quietly observing manatees from a distance, you will get a rare opportunity to see the natural behavior of this unique animal. Any other actions might be considered harassment, which is against the law.






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Current Manatee
Paleontologist Leaves His Mark On Prehistoric Mini Manatee

Read an article in the Tampa Tribune



Parrot Head CD Raises Awareness and Funds

for Manatee Conservation Efforts



Miami-Dade to Revisit Manatee Protection Plan

Read an article in the St. Petersburg Times



Unique Acoustic System Protects Manatees

from Injuries and Death

Read an article in the Science Daily









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Protecting Manatees in Belize



You Are Never Too Young to Lead by Example



Marine Mammal Health and Sirenia Population Genetics

Conferences Held Recently



Tracking Manatees with Monica



Not So Tiny Bubbles Goes to Manatee-Loving Home



Film of Manatee Harassment in Kings Bay Wins Prestigious Award

Read an article in the Citrus County Chronicle

See the award-winning video









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How Close is Too Close When Humans Meet Manatees?

Read an article in the St. Petersburg Times



PEER Lawsuit to Force Florida Manatee Oversight Record Release

Read a press release at the Public Employees for Environmental

Responsibility (PEER) web site.



FWC Releases 2007 Preliminary Manatee Mortality Data



Good News for Manatees!


Wildlife Commission Defers Status Change and


Requests Review of State Classification System



FWC Unveils New Florida Manatee License Plate

See the new design at the FWC web site



Global Warming and Manatees



Manatee Posters Promote Boater Awareness






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Manatee Mouse Pad MT10
A manatee decorates this 8 1/2" wide x 7 1/2" high x 1/8" thick mousepad with specially textured surface for accurate computer mouse control. Durable and scratch resistant - just wipe clean. Non-slip backing. Crisp, colorful, permanent image.


Manatee Mouse Pad MT10






Manatee Musical Water Globe MT7
5 1/2" - 5 3/4" high. Plays the tune, "Somewhere In Time"


Manatee Musical Water Globe MT7






Manatee Plate with Globe MT6
A 6 1/2" high decorative 3-D manatee decorative plate small water globe.


Manatee Plate with Globe MT6






Manatee Plush Stuffed Animal - MT31
Wild Republic - Realistic plush aquatic animal design in quality fabric. 8" (20 CM)


Manatee Plush Stuffed Animal - MT31






Manatee Sterling Silver Earrings MT17
A set of sterling silver manatee earrings. Manatee is 3/4" long. Jewelry.


Manatee Sterling Silver Earrings MT17






Manatee Charm or Pendant MT26
A sterling silver manatee charm or pendant for your favorite necklace or bracelet. Manatee is 1 1/2" long.


Manatee Charm or Pendant MT26






Manatee Sphere Holder & Glass Globe
Beautiful Pewter Manatee Sphere Holder And A Clear Glass Bubble Sphere Beautiful Reflections When The Light Hits The Globe


Manatee Sphere Holder & Glass Globe






Manatee On Wood Base
Manatee On Wood Base This Cute Sea & River Fella Will Amuse All Of Your Friends


Manatee On Wood Base






Key Largo Resort at Manatee Bay
Key Largo Resort at Manatee Bay > EYW > 102400 Overseas Hwy > KEY LARGO > FL > 33037>2.5>


Key Largo Resort at Manatee Bay

Manatee Bay Print By Paul Brent
Paul Brent img: 15.00 x 21.00 paper: 17.00 x 23.00


Manatee Bay Print By Paul Brent






The Missing Manatee


The Missing Manatee