Florida Manatee

Description:

The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris), a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, is the largest of all living sirenians. Florida manatees inhabit the most northern limit of sirenian habitat. Over three decades of research by universities, governmental agencies, and NGOs, has contributed to understanding of Florida manatee ecology and behavior. They are found in freshwater rivers, in estuaries, and in the coastal waters of the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean. Florida manatees may live to be greater than 60 years old in the wild, and one captive manatee, "Snooty", has lived for 63 years. In captivity, West Indian manatees live up to 28 years.[citation needed] The biggest single threat to Florida manatees is death from collisions with recreational watercraft. Large concentrations of Florida manatees are located in the Crystal River area and the Wakulla Springs regions in central and north Florida. The best time to see the Wakulla Springs manatees is in November and December, and in the spring for the Crystal River manatees.

Habitat:

Freshwater springs feeding into Crystal River

Notes:

Mother with calf