It took a few minutes for the guide to get us all in the water and grouped around a willing manatee. If they're not interested in company, they either dive down (snorkelers are not allowed to dive down; manatee protection laws are pretty strict in Florida) or swim over to protected areas marked with buoys.




But a few of them were interested in company. Manatees like to be scratched because it helps rub off algae that grows on their skin. Manatees are like dogs, it turns out: When you start scratching them, they roll over so you can concentrate on their tummies.




This is Cat in an exciting action shot. Taking pictures underwater was pretty neat but a lot of the photos were murky because the water is murky - just about anything will disturb the silt in the shallow river. Touching a manatee is like touching a canvas bag, it seemed to me. They have hair, but with a density of about one in 10 square centimetres. Just enough to satisfy the mammal requirements for tax purposes.




I was enjoying myself, especially once I figured out how to manoevre with flippers on. It takes some getting used to, as does wearing a wet suit in the first place. I hadn't tried it before and was deeply disconcerted by the feeling of getting wet slowly. Also, being warm and wet is an unsual sensation for me.

---

Previous | Start | Next