In 2005 the state of Florida declared November Manatee Awareness Month in honor of the large aquatic mammals that live near the Florida coast and in other warm coastal waters in the Atlantic.
Manatees spend their time grazing on plants in warm, shallow water and have no significant natural predators. They do, however, face a variety of threats from human activity. An estimated 25 percent of all manatee deaths in Florida are caused by collisions with boat hulls and propellers, and about 80 percent of living manatees bear scars from boat injuries. Habitat loss is also a major problem. Manatees require water temperatures of at least 68 degrees Fahrenheit (20 Celsius), and development on the Florida coast has diverted some warm-water springs that manatees use to stay warm when temperatures drop during the winter months.
Florida manatees were first listed as an endangered species in 1966. Since then a variety of conservation measures have been enacted, including restrictions on waterfront development and speed limits for boats in areas where manatees may be present. Today the manatee population in Florida stands at about 6,000 individuals.