Manatees are a migratory species. Within the United States, West Indian manatees are concentrated in Florida in the winter, but can be found in summer months as far west as Alabama and as far north as Virginia and the Carolinas. West Indian manatees can also be found in the coastal and inland waterways of Central America and along the northern coast of South America, although distribution in these areas may be spotty. Manatees are gentle and slow-moving. Most of their time is spent eating, resting, and in travel.
Manatees are completely herbivorous.
They graze for food along water bottoms and on the surface. They may rest submerged at the bottom or just below the surface, coming up to breathe on the average of every three to five minutes. When manatees are using a great deal of energy, they may surface to breathe as often as every 30 seconds. West Indian manatees have no natural enemies, and it is believed they can live 60 years or more. Many manatee mortalities are human-related.