The West Indian Manatee is a large, slow-moving aquatic herbivore that relies on warm water refuges in winter, congregating around natural springs and power plant outflows in Florida. It has no natural predators but faces severe threats from boat strikes, which leave distinctive propeller scars that researchers use for individual identification. Manatees renew their entire set of molars continuously throughout their lives, with new teeth moving forward as older ones wear down.
Best time to see a West Indian Manatee
The best time to see a West Indian Manatee is November–March, when about 63% of U.S. sightings happen, based on 9,837 research-grade iNaturalist observations.
Not certain it is a West Indian Manatee? What animal is this? walks through what to check first and the lookalikes that catch people out.
Recent West Indian Manatee sightings near you
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