Mammal · GBIF taxon 2435297
Trichechus manatus latirostris
Trichechus manatus latirostrisAlso known as Florida Sea Cow, American Manatee
Florida manatees spend their days grazing on lush underwater vegetation, surfacing gently every few minutes for air. These slow-moving aquatic mammals migrate to natural warm springs and power plant discharge canals during cold winter months. Mothers raise single calves with extraordinary care, nursing them underwater for up to two years.
Marine MammalHerbivoreAquatic
—observations
—countries
—peak records
VulnerableConservation statusIUCN Red List categoriesLCNTVUENCREWEXVulnerableRed List categories, explained →
Diet & prey
- Seagrass
- Eelgrass
- Water Hyacinth
Predators
- Tiger Sharks
- American Alligators
ThreatsWatercraft strikes, loss of warm-water habitat, toxic algae, and cold stress
HabitatsShallow coastal waters, rivers, estuaries, and freshwater springs
Life span50 to 60 years
Size / weightNot available
Classification
- FamilyTrichechidae
- SpeciesTrichechus manatus latirostris
Range data is not available yet.
Interaction riskLow
- Low
- Moderate
- High
- Very high
- Why interaction risk is low
- Safe to observe from a respectful distance without interfering with their natural behavior.
- What to notice
- Look for large gray paddle-tailed bodies slowly breaching for air or swimming in shallow waterways.
- Support conservation
- Observe passively from a boat or shore, avoiding direct contact, chasing, or feeding.
Responsible observation
- Keep Distance: Maintain clear spacing to avoid disturbing natural feeding or resting patterns.
- Do Not Feed: Refrain from giving food or fresh water, which alters natural foraging instincts.
- Boat Responsibly: Obey posted slow-speed zones in waterways to prevent dangerous hull impact.
Close Relative Galen Rathbun / Public domain · cc0
Close Relative (c) Dan Lundberg, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Close Relative (c) Mehdi Sadak 2ème compte, some rights reserved (CC BY-SA) · cc-by-sa
Sirenian Relative Gejuni / CC BY-SA 3.0 de · cc-by-sa
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