How big do manatees get?
Manatees can grow to be quite large. The average adult manatee is about 10 feet long and weighs between 800 and 1,200 pounds. However, they can grow to be much larger than that. The largest manatee on record was 13 feet long and weighed over 3,500 pounds.
How much does a baby manatee weigh?
A baby manatee, also known as a calf, weighs about 60-70 pounds at birth. They are born tail first and nurse underwater from their mothers for about two years. Calves are born after a gestation period of about 12 months.
How many manatees are in Florida?
According to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC), there are an estimated 7,520 manatees in Florida. This number is based on aerial surveys conducted in January and February 2023. The FWC also reports that the manatee population has been increasing in recent years. In 2017, the estimated population was 6,342.
How many years do Manatees live?
Manatees can live for 50 to 60 years in the wild. The oldest known manatee was 69 years old when she died in captivity.
