Florida Manatee

Physical Characteristics

The Florida Manatee has a large, gray, fusiform body. It possesses two forelimbs (flippers) and a large, paddle-shaped tail. Their skin is thick and wrinkled, often with algae growing on it, giving them a greenish-brown appearance. They have small eyes, a broad snout with stiff whiskers (vibrissae) for foraging, and no hind limbs. This image shows a light-colored individual, possibly due to albinism or a different lighting effect.

Habitat & Distribution

Florida manatees are found in coastal waters, rivers, and estuaries throughout Florida and the southeastern United States. They prefer shallow, slow-moving waters where seagrass beds and other vegetation are abundant. They are sensitive to cold water and congregate in warm water refugia during winter.

Size & Weight

Adult Florida manatees typically range from 8-10 feet (2.4-3 meters) in length and weigh between 1,000-1,800 pounds (450-815 kg). Some individuals can grow up to 13 feet (4 meters) and weigh over 3,000 pounds (1,360 kg).

Similar Looking Species

The West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus), which includes the Florida Manatee as a subspecies, also includes the Antillean Manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus) found in the Caribbean. Other sirenian species, such as the Amazonian Manatee (Trichechus inunguis) and the African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis), are geographically distinct. Dugongs (Dugong dugon) are similar but have a fluked tail resembling a whale's.

Ecological Role

Florida manatees are primary consumers, grazing on a variety of aquatic vegetation, including seagrasses and freshwater plants. They play a vital role in the health of shallow aquatic ecosystems by helping to maintain seagrass beds and influencing nutrient cycling. Their grazing habits can contribute to the clarity of water by reducing plant overgrowth. Conservation status: The Florida Manatee was downlisted from endangered to threatened by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service in 2017, but it is still protected under the Endangered Species Act and the Marine Mammal Protection Act. Major threats include collisions with watercraft, habitat loss and degradation, and red tide events.

Identified on: 11/18/2025

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