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Trichechus
manatus |
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Manatees are plump, placid mammals that live in warm coastal
waters and river mouths in Florida. They have blimp-like bodies up to 12
feet long and weigh as much as 1000 pounds. Sometimes called sea cows,
they move about slowly, propelled by two front flippers and a broad, flattened
tail. Manatees surface every few minutes to take in air but spend most of
their time under water, grazing on aquatic plants. Since they often linger
near the surface, many of these gentle giants have been killed or maimed by
propellers of motorboats.
The above photos were taken in
November, 1999 while fishing in Charlotte Harbor. My boat was anchored and
this fellow decided to visit for awhile.
