Typically associated with Florida, manatees still feel at home in lower Alabama. Weighing in at nearly half a ton and measuring upwards of 13 feet, it’s little wonder why manatees are called “gentle giants of the sea.” They inhabit both freshwater and saltwater environments, but need warm waters to thrive. So when the coastal waters of lower Alabama experience a drop in temperature during winter, manatees usually seek refuge in places like Crystal Springs in Florida where water temperatures are a constant 72 degrees. 

But that seems to be changing. As manatees make their journey to Florida, they take advantage of lower Alabama’s intricate network of rivers and estuaries that serve as essential routes for their migration. More and more of these gentle giants have been sticking around over the years due to local habitats that offer similar living conditions. In 2009, Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Manatee Sighting Network captured and tagged the first manatee in Alabama waters. 

And it’s not just water temperatures that are keeping manatees around longer during the winter months. It’s the food. Seagrass, a major source of nutrition for manatees, has been dwindling along the Florida coastline. This shortage has caused a number of manatee deaths because the seagrass growth in Florida can’t keep up with the population explosion there in winter. That’s why the combination of warm water and plentiful aquatic vegetation makes our area such an attractive destination for manatees.

Manatees need our protection.

As manatees embark on their seasonal journey to warmer waters, it is our collective responsibility to preserve their habitats and the delicate ecosystems they rely on. Boating regulations and education programs are essential components of these preservation efforts. Conservationists and local authorities also play a crucial role in ensuring the protection of these areas by implementing measures to minimize human impact. 

See a manatee? Report it.

It’s important to know where manatees are, so they can be protected if water temperatures in the area suddenly drop. Anyone seeing a manatee should report it immediately and should not bother the animal or try to feed it. Instead, call Dauphin Island Sea Lab’s Manatee Sighting Network at 1-866- 493-5803 who will take the necessary action to protect them.