What Divers Should Know About Manatee

As primarily herbivorous marine mammals, manatees are often referred to as sea cows due to their placid grazing in shallow waters. These large creatures typically average 2.8 to 3.0 meters in length and weigh 400 to 550 kg, though females can grow larger, sometimes exceeding 4.6 meters. Divers most frequently encounter manatees in the marshy coastal areas and rivers of the Caribbean Sea, Gulf of Mexico, Amazon basin, and West Africa, where they forage on over 60 different plant species at depths of just 1-2 meters.

Identifying a manatee underwater is straightforward by its distinctive paddle-shaped tail, which differentiates it from dugongs. While generally solitary animals, their curious, slow-moving nature makes encounters a unique experience. They spend approximately half their day sleeping submerged, regularly surfacing for air. Notable for their longevity, the Florida subspecies is known to live up to 60 years.