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.

Where to See Manatees in Florida

While manatees may not win an animal kingdom beauty contest, they are remarkably admirable and charming. They live their lives at a slow pace and spend most of their time resting when they are not feeding or traveling. They are easily amused, curious and adorable creatures. When excited, they perform barrel rolls and body surfing for entertainment. There is nothing cuter than seeing manatees enjoying themselves by rolling around in the water. Manatees are a beautiful sight to behold in the water. They have large size, stubbly snouts, toenails on flippers, graceful swimming, and an incredible bond between mother and calf.

So where can you see manatees in Florida?

The best place to see manatees in real life is Crystal Springs, Florida. The clean water in this area allows you to see more than just their snouts or backs emerging briefly from the water. In the springs, you can see manatees in the waters at any time of the year. However, they are much easier to spot from November to March when they gather in large numbers in warmer waters.

If you are interested in seeing manatees first-hand, here are six places in Florida you won’t miss them.

1. Three Sisters Springs, Crystal River, Florida

Crystal River wraps around Kings Bay. This is where over 70 natural springs host hundreds of manatees during the winter. The most beautiful spot in Crystal River is Three Sisters Springs. It is a complex of three springs that form part of the Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge. The natural warm water that flows through the springs attracts hundreds of manatees throughout the year. You can always be sure to see manatees there whenever you visit. You can visit whether by kayak, boat, or from land at a boardwalk.

In winter, Three Sisters Springs is closed to protect the animals that flock to the springs for warmth. But in the summer months, you are free to kayak or canoe in the springs with friendly sea cows. It is an experience that is much more exciting than just watching them from the boardwalk. If you want to swim with manatees in Three Sisters Springs, you can book your manatee tour with Captain Mike’s. Captain Mike’s is an experienced and reputable outfitter in Crystal River.

2. Blue Spring State Park

Normally closed to swimmers and kayakers from November 15th to March 15th when manatees are present in large numbers, Blue Spring State Park is a great place to see manatees. During the winter, hordes of manatees are present, foraging on sea grass, traveling or sleeping. You cannot swim or kayak at this location in the winter months. However, you will definitely see them if you visit the park.

Blue Spring State Park has an extensive walkway around the water. It offers many vantage points for viewing manatees. However, if you want to swim and interact closely with them in the water, a summer visit is best. Because swimmers and boaters are welcome when the park is out of season. So, for those who can’t see the manatees in winter, going in summer is still great. The park offers a wild manatee webcam, which is pretty amazing.

3. Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park

Homosassa Wildlife State Park is one of the best places to view manatees in Florida. A large number of manatees settle in the park in winter to take advantage of the warm waters that flow through the springs. You can also go beneath the waves to view the manatees via a special underwater observation deck. The park is a fabulous place to bring the whole family as there are several interactive exhibits and nature walks and exhibits for learning about indigenous animals, including alligators, wolves, otters, cranes, bears, regional birds, bobcats and even jaguars who flock to the springs during cold winter seasons. There are also programs where rangers provide information about the native animals.

4. Lovers Key State Park, Fort Myers Beach, Florida

If you want to see manatees away from the crowds, then Lovers Key State Park provides that natural, undeveloped and less crowded location for the outing. It is a picturesque area near Fort Myers and the perfect destination for those who want to enjoy an easy stroll through the sand or kayak with manatees. While it does not have as many manatees as the other locations, a good number still frequent the park. You can bring your own kayak or rent one there and ask park rangers to point you toward the herds of manatees.

5. Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Titusville

Initially intended to protect migratory birds, this park has evolved into a settlement area for all kinds of endangered species, including manatees. In fact, it is one of the few places in Florida where you’ll have a chance to spot manatees all year round. It has viewing platforms, a boat ramp, interpretive signs and an observation area.

6. TECO Manatee Viewing Center, Apollo Beach

Tampa Electric’s viewing center is a man-made manatee sanctuary. Boasting of large numbers of manatees in the winter due to warm water discharges from the Big Bend Power Station, the location provides a great place to view manatees. It has viewing platforms, tidal walkways and an environmental education center to make the outing memorable and educational.

Seeing large numbers of Florida manatees gathered in one place is an amazing experience. And in Florida, there are several locations known for their sizeable populations of manatees looking for food and warmer waters, particularly in the fall, winter and spring. But when you visit these places to see or swim with the manatees, remember that the animals are in the springs for survival and learn how to interact in a way that preerves their natual habitat. For more information on manatees and manatee tours in Florida, visit Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees website.

Continue reading