November means manatees are on the move

November is Manatee Awareness Month, marking the time when Florida’s manatees start their seasonal movements to warmer waters around the state. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission reminds both residents and visitors that they can help support manatee conservation by giving them space, going slow, and keeping an eye out for the slow-moving mammals when on the water. “Manatees rely on warm water sites to survive the winter, seeking refuge at Florida’s springs, power plant discharge areas and other warm water sites when water temperatures drop below 68 degrees Fahrenheit,” said Ashley LaVere, the FWC’s manatee management program coordinator. “Boaters and personal watercraft users may be more likely to encounter manatees as they make their way to their winter habitats, so awareness of how to keep manatees safe while on the water is key.” Manatees can be challenging to spot in the water, despite their large size as adults. Heading out on a boat or personal watercraft?

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