Are There Alligators When Swimming With The Manatees?

Key Takeaways:

  1. Alligators may be present in Florida’s waters, but the chances of an encounter during a manatee tour are extremely rare with no recorded incidents in the past six decades.
  2. Safety is a priority and guides at Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees will ensure your safety while you immerse yourself in the wondrous world of Florida’s manatees.
  3. Don’t let the fear of alligators hold you back from taking a manatee tour – you may even get the chance to spot an American alligator!

Alligators and Manatees – What Are The Odds?

Have you ever wondered what it would be like to swim beside one of Florida’s most gentle sea creatures – the manatee? What about the possibility of encountering another, less-friendly Floridian resident – the alligator? As you embark on your quest for adventure with Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees, these questions might be gnawing at the back of your mind. Justin Strickland, Manager of Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees, addresses those concerns in a recent video. So, let’s dive in and explore.

A Floridian Inconvenience: Alligators in the Water

As Justin Strickland aptly points out, “this is Florida, and we’re in the water.” With Florida’s abundance of natural water sources, it’s no surprise that alligators might be present during manatee tours. “There are alligators present,” he says, “however, in the last 60 years of manatee swim tours here in Crystal River, Florida, not one incident has ever occurred with an alligator.”

The Rarity of Unwanted Guests: Encounters and Incidents

While the existence of alligators in Florida‘s waterways is undeniable, it’s important to understand that the chances of encountering one while swimming with the manatees are extremely rare. With no recorded incidents in the past six decades, it’s clear that alligators and manatees generally steer clear of each other. In fact, some may consider themselves lucky to catch a glimpse of the elusive American alligator during their manatee tour, resulting in some potentially great footage to bring back home.

Embracing the Manatee Adventure: Ready, Set, Swim!

Preparing for your manatee tour involves more than understanding the likelihood of alligator interactions – it means embracing the opportunity to connect with these gentle giants while exploring Florida’s natural aquatic habitats. With Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees, you’ll have the chance to enjoy a once-in-a-lifetime experience, guided by experts who care about your safety and well-being.

So, in answer to your burning question: yes, alligators may be present in the water, but should that fact deter you from taking a manatee tour? Absolutely not! Instead, embrace the adventure, and trust the expertise of your guides at Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees.

Discover the Wonders of Manatee Tours in Crystal River, Florida

Now that you’ve heard from the experts, it’s time to take the plunge and embark on an unforgettable journey with a manatee tour in Crystal River, Florida. Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees offers an unparalleled experience that will leave you with memories to last a lifetime (and perhaps some rare footage of an American alligator, if you’re lucky!). Don’t let the fear of alligators hold you back. Instead, trust in the seasoned guides at Captain Mike’s, who will ensure your safety while you immerse yourself in the wondrous world of Florida’s manatees.

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Transcription:

Person talking on the video: Justin Strickland (Manager of Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees)

Frequently Asked Manatee Questions Are there alligators? Do you have alligators? The answer is this is Florida. There are alligators here. You don’t have to worry though because the sharks ate them all. So everyone always asks, do you have alligators? Well the answer is this is Florida and we’re in the water. So the answer is yes, there are alligators present. However in the last 60 years of manatee swim tours here in Crystal River, Florida, not one incident has ever occurred with an alligator. The only thing you can expect is maybe some great footage of the American alligator and that’s if you’re lucky.

Do alligators bother manatees?

Alligators and manatees have overlapping habitats. They often hang out together in sunny spots along the shoreline or spend time in warm-water areas. Occasionally alligators and manatees can be seen gliding through the same waters, each going their own way. And although alligators are predators while manatees have no apparent natural defenses, the manatees are still known to have no natural predators except humans.

So do alligators bother manatees?

No, they don’t. In fact, alligators might occasionally bite the satellite tags on manatees or target manatee calves. However, they generally don’t bother adult manatees. In addition, attacks by alligators are extremely rare. The primary cause of death among adult manatees remains boat strikes.

Why are alligators, not a threat?

1. Manatees are very large.

While appearing vulnerable, manatees’ substantial size serves as an effective defense against alligators. Generally, alligators opt not to chew their food and focus on easily swallowable prey. They either gulp down their meal whole or tear it into pieces. Furthermore, even young manatees, being sizeable, pose a challenge for alligators to swallow.

2. Manatees have extremely thick hides.

The hides of manatees are very thick. Even after boat propeller cuts, manatees manage to survive. Alligators can hardly grip manatees’ hides to tear anything, except the tail. Manatees strengthen their hides when alarmed, making them harder to puncture. Alligators could potentially swallow newborn baby manatees whole. However, their thick hides create a digestive challenge, rendering them unappealing for alligators to bother.

3. The effort necessary to prey on manatees isn’t worth it.

Manatees typically surface every 3-5 minutes for breathing. When needed, they can hold their breath underwater for 20 minutes or longer. Drowning a large animal like a manatee requires significant effort underwater, which isn’t practical for an alligator. Easier options exist. Alligators, being cold-blooded, lack the energy to chase such a big mammal.

4. Manatees are speedy in water.

Manatees are fast swimmers. They are going at 5 miles per hour and even up to 15 in short bursts. This makes it hard for big alligators, like 12-foot ones, to bother them. When manatees want to go somewhere, they just swim up to alligators and give them a nudge to move.

Unfortunately, manatees can’t just bump or nudge boats out of their way as they do to alligators. Collisions with boats often cause life-threatening injuries or death, with hundreds of manatees dying every year after being hit by boats. While most Florida counties have protection zones where boat access is prohibited or sailors are required to slow down, collisions with watercrafts are still the major threat to manatee survival.

Want to spend some time seeing and swimming with manatees? Visit Captain Mike’s Swimming With The Manatees website for more information on how to plan a remarkable manatee tour.