Manatees are found in the warm waters of western portion of the Atlantic Ocean and the Caribbean Sea. More commonly found in Florida waters is the West Indian Manatee, which is a migrating mammal that travels to different locations in search of a warm habitat and feeding grounds. A census taken in January 2000 found a little more than 2,000 manatees living in the waters surrounding and within the state of Florida.
Manatees can be found in just about any body of water that has a greater depth than 3.25 feet. They have been found in rivers, bays, canals and estuaries that have a connection to ocean waters. Generally, the manatee is found in coastal waters near land, but some have been seen as far away from land as 50 miles off the Florida keys.
Manatees can live in any type of water found in and around Florida, including fresh, saline or salt and brackish waters. Manatees can be found in the brackish waters of the Indian River Lagoon, where waters from fresh inland rivers meets up with the salt water of the Atlantic Ocean. The manatee is able to easily adapt and survive in each type of water and can freely move between them.
Manatees like to live in waters that are warm, generally having temperatures higher than 70 degrees. During the winter months, the manatee goes inland in search of warmer waters and can be seen hanging around power plants, which give off heat into the nearby waters. More than 200 manatees can be seen gathering near power plants in the winter, such as in Vero Beach, Cape Canaveral, Fort Lauderdale, Port Everglades and Tampa Beach.
Manatees are herbivores and survive on the marine and freshwater plants, such as submerged, emergent and floating vegetation. Habitats for the manatee have to have plenty of vegetation, because it needs to eat 10 to 15 percent of its body weight every day. Types of underwater vegetation manatees eat include manatee grass, turtle grass, shoal grass, widgeon grass, hydrilla, tape grass, eelgrass, water hyacinth and water lettuce.
