The manatee, a critical keystone species of Florida

BY THE BARRIER ISLAND PARKS SOCIETY

Editor’s Note: This is one of six weekly wildlife articles submitted by the Barrier Island Parks Society to raise awareness about the issues facing our island communities. This week, manatees.

Florida manatees inhabit coastal waters, rivers and springs. They are present in Southwest Florida year-round, but during colder months may seek out warm water refuges such as artesian springs or power plant discharge canals, such as Manatee Park in east Fort Myers.

They are considered one of Florida’s keystone species whose behavior can alert researchers to the environmental and habitat changes that may otherwise go unnoticed in Florida’s waterways. They are protected by the Marine Mammal Protection Act and are currently listed as threatened under the federal Endangered Species Act, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.

Adult manatees are typically 9 to 10 feet long from snout to tail and weigh around 1,000 pounds. Manatees have two fore limb flippers that they use for steering movements and to hold vegetation while eating. A large, round, flattened paddle-shaped tail is used for swimming. They are quite agile and able to swim upside down, roll or move vertically in the water. They frequent back bay estuaries and shallow coastal zones and spend up to eight hours a day grazing on seagrasses. This includes the back bay waters of Cayo Costa and Gasparilla Islands as well as our beaches, where in the summertime, mating herds have been observed.

As do all mammals, they breathe air, are warm blooded, and have fine hairs over much of their body which helps their sense of touch. Females reach sexual maturity at three to five years old and gestation lasts just over a year. A calf will stay with their mother for up to two years.

The two major threats to manatees are loss of habitat and collisions with boats. As new developments are built along waterways, ecosystems are altered. Run-off from human activity such as fertilizers enters the water and causes algal blooms, which can kill manatees if they feed on seagrasses affected by certain blooms. Collisions with boats remain the leading cause of death for manatees. Boaters should always avoid manatees and follow posted signs in manatee zones.

It is no doubt manatees are one of the most-loved marine mammals. Their gentle demeanor makes them both endearing and relatable. 

Help protect manatees by sharing these tips with your friends and family:

• Boaters should follow posted signs in manatee zones.
• Report sightings of sick or distressed manatees to local authorities.
• It is illegal to feed or offer fresh water to manatees.
• Always dispose of trash and help remove marine debris like fishing lines.
• Never touch or swim with manatees.
• Stay informed on water quality issues in your area.

Visit BIPS.org for more information.