November 15th marks the beginning of our manatee season. Slow down in those manatee zones if your out boating. The West Indian manatee was discovered in the 1500′s by the Spanish explorers. They were hunted almost to extinction for their meat, hide and oils. Florida banned the hunting of manatees in 1893. The official “season” is October 30th to March 31st. In the warmer months manatees spend most of their time at sea and out of harms way. The colder weather drives them inland to places where they can find warm water. The closest relatives of the manatee are the elephant, hyraxes, and aardvarks. The average adult manatee is about 10′ long and weighs 1000 pounds. They can reach 13′ and weigh as much as 3000 pounds! Good thing for us snorkelers they are completely herbivorous, (they eat mostly aquatic plants). They spend most of their time eating, resting or in travel. They can consume 10-15% of their body weight daily. Generally manatees come up to breathe every 3-5 min., but when resting they can stay submerged for 20 min. or longer. They are believed to live 60 years or longer. Manatees are protected under Federal Law, so do not harass, annoy, molest, kill or disturb a manatee! Come on out with Keylypso in search of these gentle giants! Capt. Gary
Manatee Season
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