What are the 3 types of Manatee

Can you ever envision yourself immersed in the water, surrounded by gentle and immense creatures swimming and gliding? Some even gently bumping into you, seemingly offering a warm welcome?

Stop imagining and make it a reality.

You can turn this dream into a reality by journeying to Crystal River, Florida, where you can encounter and swim with manatees!

At Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees, we’re prepared to assist you in arranging and guiding your manatee tour.

Throughout your manatee tour, the animals’ size will undoubtedly leave an impression on you. Their tranquil and affectionate demeanor will captivate you, and you’ll grow fond of their curious and playful behavior.

Observing them frolic in the waves, engaging in activities like body surfing and “barrel rolling”—a spectacular 360-degree spin—is truly delightful.

What are manatees?

Sea giants or sea cows, manatees possess substantial and gentle traits. They inhabit coastal waters, rivers, lakes, bays, and lagoons. Additionally, they are gray, oval-shaped creatures with uniquely stout bodies. They have sparse, bristle-like hairs—called vibrissae—all over their bodies, aiding them in detecting vibrations in the surrounding water.

Close relatives of hyraxes and elephants, manatees fall under the classification of Order Sirenia and dugongs. Manatees and dugongs share similar shapes, sizes, and colors and feature flexible flippers in their flippers. The distinction lies in manatees having broad, rounded tails, while dugongs possess fluked tails.

The Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), another Sirenian, was hunted to extinction in the 1760s.

What are the types of manatee species?

The three types of manatee species are:

  • The African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis).
  • The West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus).
  • The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis).

Debate still surrounds the existence of a potential fourth manatee variety, known as the Dwarf Manatee. These three types of manatee species got their names based on their respective habitats.

Initially, the African manatee occupies tropical and sub-tropical waters in Africa. Subsequently, the West Indian manatee makes its home in Florida and the Gulf Coast of North America. Additionally, the Amazonian manatee thrives in the Amazonian River Basin.

The West Indian and West African manatees possess the ability to transition between saltwater and freshwater environments, whereas the Amazonian manatee exclusively inhabits freshwater.

Here is a quick look at each of the three types of manatee species:

  1. West Indian Manatee.

The name ‘West Indian Manatee’ originates from the habitat of this manatee species, encompassing coastal lakes, rivers, inland lagoons, coral reefs, and mangroves throughout the southeastern United States, Central and South America, the Caribbean, and the Gulf of Mexico. These manatees, known as the largest and most recognizable type, can reach lengths of up to 13 feet and weigh an average of 3,300 pounds.

Gray to brown skin, a rounded tail, and a set of nails on their forelimbs characterize West Indian manatees. Their survival depends on fresh water, enabling them to move between saltwater and freshwater environments, including thriving in brackish waters.

Two subspecies of West Indian manatees exist: the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and the Antillean manatee (Trichechus manatus manatus).

The Antillean (Caribbean) manatee inhabits waters stretching from the Bahamas to Brazil, whereas the Florida manatee resides in United States waters.

Both the Antillean and Florida manatees boast elongated round bodies with flat, paddle-shaped tails, along with whiskered, wrinkled heads and faces. These slow, gentle creatures graze on seagrass for several hours each day. It’s worth noting that the Antillean manatee is smaller in size compared to the Florida manatee.

  1. Amazonian Manatee.

The Amazonian manatee inhabits the Amazon River Basin and its tributaries in the northern-central part of South America. Despite being smaller compared to other manatees, the Amazonian manatee is still relatively large—averaging 8 to 10 feet in length and weighing half a ton.

The Amazonian species is recognized for its smooth skin, featuring small whiskers and subtle wrinkles. Notably, this species is unique in lacking nails in its forelimbs. The name “inunguis” denotes “no nails.” Moreover, it is exclusively a freshwater dweller and does not venture into saltwater environments.

Preferably inhabiting calm, shallow waters, the Amazonian manatee feeds on various plants and dedicates most of its time to grazing.

During the rainy season, when substantial vegetation emerges in the river, the manatees consume significant amounts of plants. They consume this food to build up blubber (a layer of fat). As a result, it then acts as a source of sustenance during the dry season when food availability decreases.

  1. West African Manatee.

The West African manatee, slightly larger than the Amazonian manatee, measures 10-13 feet in length and weighs 1,100 pounds. It is situated along the west coast of Africa, spanning from Mauritania to Angola. Additionally, these manatees venture into rivers of landlocked countries such as Niger and Mali, broadening their habitat.

Similar to the West Indian manatee, the West African manatee possesses the ability to inhabit both saltwater and freshwater environments. Consequently, they are commonly found in brackish water, which is a combination of the two.

The manatee’s appearance is sleeker and less rounded compared to the Amazonian manatee. It shares numerous similarities with the West Indian manatee, with the exception of having a blunter snout.

Terrific, unforgettable manatee tours

Want to see manatees up close? Want to float with them in the water?

If so, you can have a wonderful time with the sea cows by visiting Crystal River, Florida. Crystal River is the only place in the world where you can legally snorkel with the manatees in their natural habitat.  Even if you don’t want to swim, you can still get on board and see the animals at close range.

At Captain Mike’s, we have a track record of planning and delivering manatee tours that meet expectations.  Our knowledgeable and friendly captains will guide you through Crystal River. This will ensure you see and interact with the animals while learning about them. We can guarantee that the one hour or so you spend with our crew in the water will give you memories for a lifetime.

The Three Major Manatee Species

Recognized as one of the gentlest and most intelligent mammals on Earth, the manatee, often referred to as the “sea cow,” boasts remarkable qualities. While they are predominantly solitary creatures, they exhibit robust familial bonds between mother and calf, and their demeanor is characterized by playfulness and compassion. Primarily, three manatee species are identified, each inhabiting distinct regions of the world: the Florida Manatee, the Amazonian Manatee, and the West African Manatee.

West Indian Manatee.  

Prominently, the Florida Manatee draws visitors from across the globe who come to observe them. Additionally, Florida serves as a sanctuary for migrating manatees seeking refuge during colder months. Furthermore, a water temperature of at least 60 degrees Fahrenheit is imperative. Occasionally, referred to as the West Indian Manatee, it’s important to note that these terms essentially refer to the same species. Furthermore, efforts aimed at safeguarding and conserving the Florida Manatee appear to be yielding positive results, as evidenced by their recent population growth.

Amazonian Manatee

The Amazonian Manatee is considered the smallest manatee found. Notably, they live only in freshwater. Often mistaken for a species mutation of the Amazonian Manatee, the Dwarf Manatee exclusively inhabits freshwater environments.

African Manatee

The African Manatee is the most at-risk manatee. Conservation efforts are very lax in that part of the world and between global warming and the actions of man, their habitat is dwindling. They live in subtropical and tropical waters along the African coast.

Within the animal kingdom, manatees hold a distinct and significant position, rendering their preservation paramount. Notably, it is crucial for boaters to remain conscious of their presence.  Especially, human activities are considering their vulnerability. Upholding their population is of utmost importance. The intelligence and compassion exhibited by manatees are qualities deeply admired. Thus, a collective effort is necessary to prevent them from falling into the endangered status.

For more information about manatees, and manatee tours, visit Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees website.

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