Manatees, also known as sea cows, are a species of marine mammal that can be found in the coastal waters of Florida, as well as other parts of the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. In Florida, manatees are most commonly found in the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, as well as in the estuaries and rivers of the state's Atlantic coast.Manatees are known to congregate in warm water sources during the colder months, such as power plant outflows and natural springs. In Florida, several natural springs are known for their high concentration of manatees during the winter months, such as Blue Springs State Park, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Three Sisters Springs. During the warmer months, manatees can be found in a variety of coastal habitats including estuaries, lagoons, and nearshore waters.Manatees are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act and the Endangered Species Act, due to their vulnerability to human-related threats such as boat strikes, habitat loss and red tide. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission works to protect manatees through research, conservation and education programs, and by enforcing boating regulations designed to reduce the number of manatee deaths caused by boats.Visitors to Florida can view manatees in the wild at several locations around the state, such as Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge, where visitors can see manatees up close while swimming or snorkeling. Visitors should also be aware that it is illegal to touch or feed manatees, as it can disrupt their natural behavior and put them at risk.In conclusion, Manatees, also known as sea cows, are a species of marine mammal that can be found in the coastal waters of Florida, as well as other parts of the southeastern United States, Mexico, and Central and South America. They are most commonly found in warm water sources, such as power plant outflows and natural springs, during the colder months and in coastal habitats, like estuaries, lagoons.