Manatees are herbivores (plant-eaters). Known as sea cows these herbivores usually use 8 hours of the day grazing on seagrass and other aquatic plants. A manatee can eat from 4 to 9 percent of its weight in sea vegetation daily.
Most people tend to see manatees gathered together at winter warm sites, during the rest of the year manatees are semi social as they travel around the states waterways in search for food, places to rest or mates. Except for cows and calf pairs and small mating herds, manatees don't need to travel together although they do socialize when another manatee is encountered.
In the gulf, Florida manatees can be seen west through coastal Louisiana and some times are even seen as far west as texas. Prior to winters coldest months, manatees migrate to warm waters habitats in florida. These warm water sites include artesian springs and power plant discharge canals. Florida is at the end of the manatees winter range these warm water habitats have an important role to help manatees survive during winter months. to learn more about manatees click here
