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Swimming with Manatees
FRANCO BANFI / GETTY IMAGES ©
Is there any giant mammal as lovable, approachable and altogether nonthreaten-
ing as Florida's West Indian manatees? These lumbering, intelligent creatures
seek Florida's warm-water springs and rivers each winter, and many places offer
the chance to snorkel beside them as they chew sea grass and nuzzle their chil-
dren. Top of the list, though, is Kings Bay, near Crystal River (
Click here
) on the
Gulf Coast, where upwards of 500 may gather on a cold January day. But while
manatees sometimes approach swimmers with their own curious wonder, one
thing to avoid is touching them.
