Meet friendly Florida Manatees

Florida is home for one of the most endangered species called West Indian Manatees, often known as Florida Manatees. These warm friendly creatures live along Florida's coastal area with shadowy, grassy bottoms. Florida Manatees usually travel through these waterways during the summer season as far west as Texas and as far north as New Jersey. During the winter season we often find them in the springs where a temperature of 72 degrees is maintained throughout the year. Manatees are vegetarian, aquatic mammals, which can live, in fresh, brackish or salt water, but they have difficulty living in water with temperatures below 68 degrees. Their breathing cycle is 3 to 5 minutes during activity and 15 to 20 minutes when sleeping. This habit causes many to get hurt or sometimes killed by boats and other water vehicles. Most of these are human- related accidents.

The Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, make it illegal to harass, hurt,capture or kill any marine mammal and protect Manatees under federal law. Manatees are also protected by The Florida Manatees Sanctuary Act of 1978. Whoever violates this law will be charged a maximum of $50,000 fine or one year in prison upon conviction under this federal law.

"Hello! " Florida Manatee are very friendly!

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