Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
are another iconic Florida species whose conservation both galvanizes and divides state
residents.
FLORIDA'S MANATEES
It's hard to believe Florida's West Indian manatees were ever mistaken for mermaids, but
it's easy to see their attraction: these gentle, curious, colossal mammals are as sweetly
lovable as 10ft, 1000lb teddy bears. Solitary and playful, they have been known to 'surf'
waves, and every winter, from November to March, they migrate into the warmer waters
of Florida's freshwater estuaries, rivers and springs. Like humans, manatees will die if
trapped in 62°F water for 24 hours, and in winter Florida's eternally 72°F springs are
balmy spas.
Florida residents for over 45 million years, these shy herbivores have absolutely no de-
fenses except their size (they can reach 13ft and 3000lb), and they don't do much,
spending most of each day resting and eating the equivalent of 10% of their body weight.
Rarely moving faster than a languid saunter, manatees even reproduce slowly; females
birth one calf every two to five years. The exception to their docility? Mating. Males are
notorious for their aggressive sex drive.
Florida's manatees have been under some form of protection since 1893, and they
were included in the first federal endangered species list in 1967. Manatees were once
hunted for their meat, but today collisions with boats are a leading cause of manatee
death, accounting for over 20% annually. Propeller scars are so ubiquitous among the liv-
ing they are the chief identifying tool of scientists.
Population counts are notoriously difficult and unreliable. In 2013, a bloom of red tide
algae in southwest Florida, as well as illnesses, caused the death of more than 800
manatees - a whopping 16% of the total population of these gentle giants. As of this re-
search, there were at least 4800 manatees in the state.
Reptiles & Amphibians
Boasting an estimated 184 species, Florida has the nation's largest collection of reptiles
and amphibians, and unfortunately, it's growing. No, we're not antireptile, but invasive
scaly species are wreaking havoc with Florida's native, delicate ecosystem. Uninvited
guests add to the total regularly, many establishing themselves after being released by pet
owners. Some of the more dangerous, problematic and invasive species include Burmese
pythons, black and green iguanas, and Nile monitor lizards.
