The Florida manatee is a marine mammal with a lumbering appearance and a peaceful temperament.

The Florida manatee is the most impressive species of manatee, with a weight that can exceed 2,200 pounds and a wingspan of up to 13 feet.

Its oblong body ends in a flat, rounded tail. Its color ranges from gray to brown with lighter or darker areas and it is sometimes covered in green algae.

In winter, Florida manatees primarily gather around warm freshwater springs inland and along the coastlines of Florida's peninsula, including both the Gulf of Mexico and Atlantic ocean sides, within the Intracoastal Waterway's network of canals and waterways.

The Everglades National Park, Kings Bay in Crystal River National Park, the Saint Johns River and the Fort Myers area host large numbers of Florida manatees during the winter.

Their range disperses and extends sporadically in summer to Louisiana and even Texas to the west, Virginia and as far as Massachusetts to the northeast and very rarely to the Bahamas to the south.

The Florida manatee inhabits tropical and subtropical shallow coastal waters, brackish estuaries and freshwater rivers.

Florida manatees live in small groups and move around during the day to avoid the hottest hours.

As a marine herbivore, the Florida manatee feeds in shallow seagrass beds. It spends most of its day calmly grazing on the vegetation that grows on the seafloor.

The Florida manatee can hold its breath for several minutes while feeding before surfacing to breathe.

From the age of 5, female Florida manatees give birth every 2 to 5 years after a 12-month gestation period. The young manatee becomes independent after about 2 years.

The manatee's vocalizations gave rise to its name and its morphological resemblance to a mermaid inspired the name of the order to which it belongs.

The Florida manatee, like all manatee species, is globally endangered. It has been listed on the IUCN Red List as a species at risk of extinction since 2007.

Each year, as winter approaches, the Florida manatee migrates to warm freshwater springs inland to escape the cold. During this annual migration, Florida manatees slowly move along the coastlines, rivers and canals, increasing their concentration and the risk of collisions with boat propellers.

Protected areas are established annually to provide sanctuaries for Florida manatees seeking refuge during winter.

Polarized sunglasses can help you spot manatees underwater. Circular ripples on the water's surface are also a good indicator of their presence and can be seen as their « footprints » in the water.

It is easier to follow and observe them as they move in the water. You can also dive briefly to approach them but be careful not to disturb them !

Be sure to familiarize yourself with the guidelines before you go as Florida manatees are protected by federal laws both under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act.