As such, we receive numerous inquiries from the public every year regarding the endangered Florida manatee. While there is almost unparalleled public support for manatee conservation, there is also much concern about excessive government regulation of development and public activities. Biology The Florida manatee occurs primarily in Florida and southeastern Georgia. It is usually found in freshwater, brackish, and saltwater habitats. Because manatees cannot survive very long in water below 68 degrees Fahrenheit, south Florida and some natural springs make to the Florida manatee's natural winter range.
Manatees depend on seagrass and other aquatic vegetation for food.
In the winter, they congregate around warm water springs and man-made sources of warm water such as power plant discharges. Manatees can live for several decades. Adult females give birth to a calf about once every three years. Manatees have few natural predators. The greatest natural threats are exposure to cold temperatures, hurricanes, and poisoning from red tide.