Description
Enter a staring match with a curious manatee if you want, but don't challenge these "sea cows" in a bulkiness contest. Despite their balloonish appearance as they float through shallow seawater, Florida manatees can weigh more than 1,500 kilograms and reach almost 4 metres long.Manatees were a rarity in Florida as recently as 50 years ago after boat collisions and habitat destruction nearly drove them to extinction. Since being listed for protection under the Endangered Species Act , the seagoing mammals have managed to rebound, being upgraded to "threatened" in 2017, (still not a great title, but it's an improvement).