Manatees are distant relatives of elephants. You may not think they look alike but if you use your imagination, you will notice they share several characteristics. Manatees may not look like mermaids to us, but many years ago sailors mistook manatees for legendary mermaids. Part of the manatee legend remains in the name of their animal order, Sirenia, which comes from the Greek mythical legend of sirens who sang songs to lure ships into rocky shores. Manatees live in shallow, calm rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas.
Manatees move from fresh to salt water with no problem.
The Florida manatee frequents all areas of Florida. During the summer months a few travel as far north as Virginia and the Carolinas. In preparation for winter, manatees travel to areas with warm water such as natural springs or man-made power plants. The Florida Power and Light Company has sighted over 300 manatees together enjoying the warm water and plentiful vegetation near the Fort Myers power plant. Male and female manatees are difficult to distinguish.