Manatees

The West Indian or "Florida" manatee has a large, bulky, rounded body that tapers into a round, paddle-like tail. Its two front flippers help the animal maneuver in the water and move food towards its mouth. Its gray skin is think and wrinkly, and it has powerful lips which dig for food. The manatee can grow from 9-13 feet long and weigh up to 3000 pounds. They rely completely on plants for their food source, consuming up to 150 pounds per day.

You can actually see manatees swimming in the local areas at different locations.

While they look rather slow, they can definitely hurt you if should startle one.

For your own safety and the safety of the manatees, keep these guidelines in mind:

Do not enter designated manatee sanctuaries for any reason
“Look, but don’t touch” -- observe manatees from the surface of the water and at a distance
Avoid excessive noise and splashing
Use snorkel gear when attempting to watch manatees -- the sound of scuba gear may cause them to leave the area
Don’t feed manatees or give them water