The
Manatee
is a
gentle,
primarily
nocturnal
and moderately
social
animal
that
congregates
in slow
moving
inland
estuaries,
moving
to warm
water
in winter. It
is so
docile
it pays
very
little
attention
to human
activity
around
it, making
it very
susceptible
to injury
due to
recreational
boating.
The Manatee
has been
protected
since
1972.
In
Florida,
the
Manatee
performs
a valuable
service
by
consuming
large
quantities
of
water
hyacinth
and other
water
plants,
which
chokes
many
waterways.
