Observations and Fun Facts!

Manatees are not actually fat! They have only about 3% body fat. Their rounded shape comes from large lungs and their extensive digestive tract.

When manatees swim they create oval shaped ripples referred to as footprints. This is a great way to spot manatees, especially since they camouflage so well with their surroundings.

While people may see many manatees gathered at winter warm water refuges during winter months, during the rest of the year manatees are semi-social as they travel around the state’s waterways in search of food, mates, or places to rest. Except for mother(cow)/calf pairs, manatees do not need to travel together although they do socialize when other manatees are encountered.

Manatees are distant relatives of elephants. Both manatees and elephants have tough skin, bristle-like hair covering their entire body, teeth that are continuously being replaced and toe nails on each forelimb. Also, the end of an elephant's trunk is prehensile for grabbing things, just like the lips of a manatee.

Manatees might not look like mermaids to us, but many years ago sailors mistook manatees for legendary mermaids.

Swimming with Manatees

Florida is the only place in the world where you can legally swim with Manatees. BUT there are important rules to follow in order to keep these marvelous animals safe. This is the safety video each person on a manatee tour is required to watch before being taken out on a boat. Unfortunately, this is not the true for privately owned water-craft.

Underwater Cam

Highlights from the underwater camera during 2025.

LIVE – Watch for Manatees AT THIS MOMENT.

Site Sources

https://dolphins.org/manatee_factsheet

https://www.britannica.com/animal/manatee

https://myfwc.com/wildlifehabitats/profiles/mammals/aquatic/florida-manatee/

Pexels

Wikimedia

https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/blog/manatee-guide/

https://blog.mares.com/crystal-river-12746.html