Despite being classed as endangered, manatees can still be found in some numbers in and around the Riviera Maya. Now that they are protected from being hunted, you can get close to them with specialized tours. Seeing these gentle giants in their natural habitat is truly magical, but so many people know very little about manatee.
Here’s some of the basic information.
The Life of a Manatee
If ever there was a personification of “chilled out,” manatees would fit the bill; these vegetarian mammals (the largest vegetarian animals in the sea) spend half their day sleeping, and the other half grazing in shallow, warm waters. Manatees are some of the only sea creatures which can live in both salt and fresh water (though they need fresh water to drink), and this is why they generally live in marshy coastal areas which are close to rivers. The Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico with their stunning mangroves are places in which manatees thrive! You can find them, in particular, in and around the fresh water cenotes in the Sian Ka’an Biosphere.
Manatee are long-lived, reaching up to 60 years old, and have no natural enemies due to their good nature and large size. Of course the downside to this is that they have developed limited defence mechanisms.
Close Encounters
Reputable parks like Xcaret and Xel-Ha offer manatee experiences, but we think that the best way to see manatees in Riviera Maya is in their natural habitat. The tours that can be found across Riviera Maya are led by passionate manatee experts who will be able to ensure that as little disruption as possible is caused by the experience. Better yet, they will be able to share their knowledge and experience with you; this is the key to conservation efforts. The more that people know about manatees, the better the chances are for this species to recover.
Dangers They Face
Human beings still pose the biggest direct and indirect threat to manatee populations; whether it be through hunting activity or accidental damage—for example, a manatee being struck by a motor boat propeller—, humans are their only real natural enemy. As well as facing disfiguration or death from such accidents, manatees in the Riviera Maya are also susceptible to natural disasters like hurricanes, red tide poisoning, and cold stress.
Looking after manatees
Manatees need all of the help they can get from humans; conservation efforts are well under way, and though tours may not seem like they do much good, they play a vital part in educating the public. If you find yourself up close with manatees please do not surround them, chase them, attempt to touch, poke, or ride them, and please do not feed them. If you see a mother with a youngster please be extra cautious as they must stay together if the calf is to survive.Manatees, despite their large size and laid back nature, are quite easily spooked so please be considerate of their habits and listen to your tour guide.
