Florida Manatee Endangered Species Facts

The Florida Manatee is a species of mammal native to the southeast United States, especially off the coast of Florida. It has been named Florida's state marine mammal. Because of its large size, the it is also referred to as "the sea cow." The Florida manatee is listed as an endangered species due to population decreases resulting from habitat destruction, speed boat collisions, and global warming.

  1. Numbers

    • As of 2010, there were approximately 3,200 Florida manatees left in the United States. These manatees are all thought to be in the coastal waters of Florida. There has been a sharp decline in population since the 1970s.

    Speed Boats

    • Though Florida manatees have no natural predators, humans can often seriously injure or kill the manatee with speed boats. Because the manatee often swims just under the surface of the water, a speed boat's propeller can collide with the animal, causing serious bodily harm. In fact, a speed boat collision is the species' leading cause of death. In the southeastern United States, there are designated "manatee zones" where boat speed limits are reduced in order to avoid accidents with manatees. Individual manatees are often recognized by researches and scientists because of the pattern of scars on their backs caused by boat collisions.

    Global Warming

    • Florida manatees spend their whole lives within warm waters. Global warming has caused an increase in the growth of certain kinds of toxic algae. Manatees that eat this toxic algae can die. In 1996, there was a significant toxic algae bloom that killed an estimated 150 manatees. Global warming is also blamed for increasing the number and severity of hurricanes in the Florida manatee's natural habitat. Severe weather conditions brought on by hurricanes can be fatal for the manatees.

    Habitat Destruction

    • Development along the Florida coast has left the manatee with fewer places to live and feed. Flood-control gates can also cause the manatees to be drowned or crushed. Water pollution caused by human development and industry has also hurt the Florida manatee population.

    Protection

    • Manatees are protected in the United States by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972. This act prevents the hunting, killing, capturing, and harassing of certain marine mammals. The Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 is also in place. It makes it illegal to harm manatees and also funds sanctuaries for them. The act established and enforces the slower boat speed limits in designated "manatee zones."