West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) is in the Manatees family (Trichechidae). Across the U.S., iNaturalist users have logged 3,849 research-grade observations of it in our sample, peaking in January.
Seasonal pattern in the national data: seasonal. Counts also reflect when people are out photographing, so compare months within a state rather than across states.
Conservation status (iNaturalist): VU.
When to photograph West Indian Manatee: observations by month (U.S.)
About West Indian Manatee
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) or "sea cow" is a manatee, and the largest surviving member of the aquatic mammal order Sirenia (which also includes the dugong and the extinct Steller's sea cow).From Wikipedia via iNaturalist — article, CC BY-SA.
West Indian Manatee by state
| State | Observations | Peak month | Main season |
|---|---|---|---|
| Florida | 3,778 | January | Nov–Aug |
| South Carolina | 28 | July | Jun–Jul |
| Georgia | 18 | July | Jul–Aug |
| North Carolina | 10 | November | Nov–Nov |
| Louisiana | 5 | February | Feb–Feb |
Main season = months with at least 30% of the state's peak-month count.
Photography tips
- Keep a legal and safe distance: 100 yards from bears and wolves and 25 yards from other large animals in national parks.
- Dawn and dusk are peak activity times for most mammals.
- Use your car as a blind on wildlife drives.
FAQ
When is the best time to photograph West Indian Manatee?
Nationally, January has the most observations, with the main season from November to August.
Where is West Indian Manatee most often seen?
The most observations come from Florida, South Carolina, Georgia.