Messages from the Manatees
Autumn is in full swing in Florida and we are starting to see the weather change from blistering hot to mildly hot. In all seriousness, autumn in Florida looks a lot different than the other areas of the country and world. One of the most special parts of this time of year is the return of the manatees to Florida’s springs and other warm water areas, and in perfect timing, November is designated as Manatee Awareness Month. Florida’s autumn may not bring cooler air and falling leaves, but it does mark a season of return, especially for the manatees.
MANATEE SEASON
Manatees live in Florida year-round, but can be harder to spot in the summer months. So if you’ve been having trouble spotting them in the summer, you’re not alone. During the summer, manatees are spread throughout the warm surrounding waters where they eat, mate, and rest. When the water temperature drops, the manatees move to warmer waters where they will spend the winter months. All marine mammals have a layer of thick fat, called blubber, but manatees have a very thin layer, leaving them more susceptible to cold stress and hypothermia. The Florida springs and power plant sites become a gathering place for manatees seeking refuge from the cooler waters in the Gulf and Atlantic due to their relatively warm temperatures. Beyond their gentle presence and journey to warmer waters, manatees have a lot to teach us about navigating change.
The Teachings of the Sea Cow
If we look close enough, there are hidden messages that we can learn from nature and apply to our own lives. During the wintertime, manatees are guided by instinct and memory back to the familiar places of comfort. There is something grounding about the manatees always finding their way back to what keeps them regulated when life feels uncertain or the water gets too cold. Like the manatees, we all face the changing seasons through busier months, stressful situations, and sometimes even cold water. It can be easy to drift or lose sight of our peace and purpose. Nature reminds us that it is never too late to find our way back.
“Returning” can look different for everyone, and could include taking a walk through a local park, curling up with a good book for a cozy afternoon, reconnecting with a friend, or even taking a deep breath before starting your day. These small moments allow us to ground and recenter ourselves amongst the constant noise. As the manatees make their way back to the springs, may we also find spaces and moments that feel like home.
As the manatees return to Florida’s waters, may we also find our way back to what restores us: connection, purpose, and care for the world around us. Join MAR for our upcoming events to protect the spaces we call home.
References:
The Everglades Foundation. (2025, August 19). 10 Things You Didn’t Know About Florida Manatees. The Everglades Foundations. https://www.evergladesfoundation.org/post/10-things-you-didn-t-know-about-florida-manatees-and-where-to-see-them
A Guide to Seeing Manatees in Crystal River, FL. Discover Crystal River. (n.d.). https://www.discovercrystalriverfl.com/blog/manatee-guide/
O’Connor, R. (2018, July 6). Columbus’s Mermaid; the Florida Manatee. Panhandle Outdoors. https://nwdistrict.ifas.ufl.edu/nat/2018/07/06/columbuss-mermaid-the-florida-manatee/
Where Can I See Manatees in Florida?. Florida Fish And Wildlife Conservation Commission. (n.d.). https://myfwc.com/education/wildlife/manatee/where-to-see/
