Manatees are found around the coasts of Florida, in the Caribbean Sea and along the northeastern coast of South America. When air temperatures are over 50 degrees, manatees can be found as far north as Virginia. The manatee's habitat provides food, shelter and a place to raise young. Water hyacinth, grasses and other plants are found within the warm, tropical waters that manatees live in. Female manatees usually go to a sheltered area where the water is not flowing but is held back by a dam or current to give birth.
Manatees float, swim and rest all within water.
They do not build burrows or other types of homes like otters or beavers. They are very sensitive to changes in water temperature and will move to warmer areas when others become too cold. Manatees are often seen gathered around natural hot springs and power plant pipes which release warm water into rivers and bays. Food and Feeding Manatees are herbivorous, that is they eat plants. They will occasionally eat crustaceans by accident while eating plants.