The Florida Manatee - The Silent Minority

When most tourists come to Florida, they seem to flock to Orlando, Disney World and all the other major attractions. But, the Florida manatee is often overlooked. By not booking a trip down the Crystal River Florida thousands upon thousands miss out on the experience of a lifetime.

Now to be fair the Crystal River manatee is not the best looker in the pack, where nature is concerned. They are not that beautiful at first sight in the pages of the book. They certainly do not do tricks and games for our fun and we wouldn't want them to. What they are is a complete marvel of nature live in their natural environment. No glass tank or trainers in sight.

A gentle herbivore, commonly known as the 'sea cow', they have a lot more to them than just a watery bovine. With a grace you would not believe from their size and shape the Florida Manatee cruises the Crystal River grazing on all sorts of natural vegetation. They are form strongly bound family groups and often can be seen in large multiple families in such places as King's Bay and Blue Springs.

The Florida Manatee is both inquisitive and curious. This probably accounts for their popularity among visitors who journey here. It also means they have been vulnerable to hunters and irresponsible operators over the centuries and years. To be near these creatures should be treated as an honor and a privilege.

It is possible to swim with the manatees in the Crystal River itself. These friendly mammals do not seem to mind the interaction. But, to touch or feed is a no, no. To protect this precious resource certain rules must be observed. This is why you must have a responsible, experienced and approved manatee tour operator. They will take you to the safest and best locations, advising on how to experience the Florida Manatee responsibly. Let's leave this gem of the waterways for future generations to enjoy.

The experience of the manatee is special. An endangered unique creature up to 10 feet long and weighing 1000lbs plus when an adult. There is no other creature quite like the manatee. Nothing prepares you for how amazing the feeling of being so close to these creatures really is.

So don't overlook the Florida Manatee in your haste to get into the theme park bright lights. Learn how special nature is and what we will lose if they are not protected. For children this is a chance to experience the living world in person.