OCALA, FL (352Today.com) – November is officially Manatee Awareness Month, and Florida’s gentle giants are starting their annual migration to warmer water. As cold fronts roll in, the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) is reminding boaters, paddleboarders, and anyone on the water to give manatees plenty of space, ease off the throttle, and keep a sharp eye out.

“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, 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.”

How to Spot Manatees (They’re Easier to Miss Than You Think)

Even full-grown manatees can be surprisingly hard to see. Before you head out, designate someone on the boat as the official lookout. Watch for snouts, backs, tails, or flippers breaking the surface or the telltale circular “footprints” (smooth, round patches on the water) that mean a manatee is cruising just below.

Pro tips from FWC:

  • Wear polarized sunglasses
  • Go slow
  • Obey all manatee protection zones (maps and info: click here)

These zones require reduced speeds (or no-wake zones) in certain areas to cut the risk of boat strikes, which is one of the biggest threats to Florida manatees. FWC law enforcement patrols state waters and will enforce the rules.

Viewing Manatees the Right Way

Planning to check out a warm-water site this winter? Manatees are a protected species, so it’s illegal to harass, feed, disturb, or harm them. Bring binoculars, keep your distance, and remember your manatee manners. Pushing them out of protected warm water can send them into cold water that can be life-threatening.

What to Do If You See a Manatee in Trouble

If you spot an injured, distressed, sick, or dead manatee, call the FWC Wildlife Alert Hotline right away at 888-404-FWCC (3922). Do not try to handle the animal yourself; it can hurt the manatee and put you at risk.

Want to help beyond being a careful boater? Support FWC’s manatee research, rescue, and management by getting a Florida manatee specialty license plate or donating $5 for a collectible manatee decal at your local Tax Collector’s office.

Bottom line for North Central Florida boaters: November means manatees are moving. Slow down, stay alert, and give the sea cows the space they need.