The Florida Manatee, aka Sea Cow, or West Indian Manatee, is found in 7 to 10 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean during spring, summer, and fall (National Geographic, 2016). Later, in the winter you can find them near power plants, and in natural spring water that sustains temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit because manatees cannot live in water below this temperature. This fascinating herbivore can live in salt water and fresh water. The endangered Florida Manatee has a unique body with extraordinary lung capacity, an attractive life cycle, and a fascinating but tragic history.
Background and Description…