Manatees

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The Florida manatee lives in Estero Bay's waters primarily during the summer months. During these warm-water periods, they spend their days feeding and resting. The video clip on this page gives a good picture of the elevation on Mound Key. The two trekkers are walking up and down Mound 1 on the island. Click here to view a video clip of Florida manatees. Manatees reach an average size of about 10 feet and 1200 pounds. Their distant relationship to elephants can be seen in their grayish-brown skin and the toenails visible on the edges of their flippers. Like all mammals, manatees have lungs and must surface to breathe, something they do every 5 minutes or so when active. While resting, manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes. Although they are solitary creatures by nature, it is possible to see groups of manatees swimming or feeding together. These groups are typically small, numbering 4 or 5. Larger groups of a dozen or more are sometimes spotted. During the winter, most of the Bay's manatees migrate to warmer waters, making their way to the Fort Myers Power Plant or up to the warm water springs of Crystal River. Some of the larger males have enough natural insulation to withstand the cold winter temperatures, however, and remain in Estero Bay year-round. The Florida manatee is an endangered species. Habitat encroachment, boat collisions and red tide have claimed many of these gentle giants. To find out what you can do to observe them safely in the wild, take a few minutes to read through a brief Guide to Marine Mammal Encounters.