The Importance Of Manatees In Florida

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The Florida manatee is deemed as one of Florida’s most symbolic marine mammals in the state. Manatees can be found in salt water in the West Indies and fresh water habitats in Florida and coastal regions.
Manatees first appeared in Florida about 15 million years ago. Manatees are very large marine mammals that are related to elephants. ‘’They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer, or sometimes crawl, through shallow water.’’ Even though it seems like Manatees have small eyes and no outer ear, manatees can see and hear very well.
Manatees play an important role in the plant growth in shallow bays, rivers, estuaries, canals and coastal waters,