The blue waters of Belize contain a diverse range of marine life, including manatees. Commonly referred to as “Sea Cows”, manatees are one of the most fascinating and unusual mammals to behold. Nearly a thousand of these round, playful creatures call the coastal waters of Belize their home. It’s worth it to take a trip to Belize just to see and swim with these sweet, slow-moving ocean mammals. When you plan your scuba vacation, refer to this guide to learn everything you need to know about manatees in Belize.
Types of Manatees
There are three different types of manatees:
West African Manatee
The West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) – also called the African manatee – lives off the coast of western Africa. The West African manatee is similar in size and shape to the West Indian manatee but its nose is shorter and rounder. This type of manatee can be found in both freshwater and saltwater. The African manatee is listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. They’re threatened by hunting, entrapment in turbines and generators of hydroelectric plants, and loss of habitat due to damming and the destruction of mangroves and wetlands.
Amazonian Manatee
The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) is the smallest of the manatee family. It typically grows to about 9 feet in length and can weigh up to 1,100 pounds. Its skin is smooth, and it doesn’t have nails on its forelimbs. The Amazonian manatee is the only species of manatee that doesn’t have nails. This manatee is a freshwater species that prefers the South American waters of the Amazon River Basin and its tributaries. Amazonian-West Indian manatee hybrids have been found near the mouth the of Amazon River, which suggests that the West Indian manatee travels to the region that the Amazonian manatee inhabits.
West Indian Manatee
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) has greyish or brownish skin, a rounded tail, and a set of nails on its front limbs. They’re the biggest type, reaching up to 13 feet in length and weighing up to 3,300 pounds. The West Indian manatee can be found along the southeastern United States, in the Caribbean and the Gulf of Mexico, and Central and South America.
There are two subspecies of West Indian manatee:
- Florida Manatee
- Antillean Manatee
Manatee Conservation in Belize
Belize has the most manatees of any country in Central America, so your chances of seeing one there in the wild are high. Belize also has the largest Antillean manatee population in the world. Still, they’re listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List. This is because they have a fairly high mortality rate and face a number of threats, like poachers and garbage pollution.
The Belize government and conservation groups are doing their part to protect and grow the manatee population. Preservation of these animals is crucial because they’re a vital piece of Belize’s ecosystem, culture, heritage, and history.
There are three protected manatee areas – the Northern Lagoon, the Swallow Caye Wildlife Sanctuary, and the Gales Point Manatee Wildlife Sanctuary. The manatees in Belize can be spotted all year long, but there are some important do’s and don’t’s when interacting with manatees.
Do’s and Don’ts When You Encounter Manatees
Don’t
- Touch the manatees
- Feed or give water to manatees
- Speed up once nearing the river
- Chase after manatees with a boat
- Corner a manatee
- Separate a manatee from its calf
Do
- Obey the signs
- Slow down when nearing the river
- Anchor the boat
- Shut off the engine
- Be patient and quiet
Belize not only has some of the top dive sites in the world, but it also allows you to experience the magic of manatees.
Book your scuba vacation and give yourself the unforgettable opportunity to swim with manatees in Belize!
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Just 30 miles from Belize City, Belize Dive Haven is located in pristine Turneffe Atoll. Consisting of creeks, lagoons, mangrove islands and cays, the atoll is home to over 500 species of fish, 65 different species of stony corals as well as birds, turtles, manatees and dolphins.