Rick's Dive 'N Travel Center - Take a Dive with Us

The manatee has a large, seal-like body that tapers to a spatulate tail. It has two forelimbs with three or four nails on each limb. The skin is wrinkled with stiff whiskers on its upper lip.

The manatee is gray or gray-brown. The mammal can grow to 13 feet and weigh more than 3,000 pounds. The manatees are gentle and slow moving. Most of their time is spent eating aquatic plants, resting or just traveling. They are completely harmless, shy and have no system of defense.

The often shy and reclusive manatee has a rather limited depth perception, although it can differentiate colors quite well. In spite of the absence of external ear lobes, the animal can hear very well and communicate in sounds that are within the human auditory range. The manatee must surface every few minutes to breathe.

The habitat includes shallow, slow moving rivers and coastal areas rich in seagrass beds. The manatee eats only aquatic plants and can eat daily 10 to 15 percent of its own body weight.

The West Indian manatee are concentrated in Florida during the winter, but can be found as far north as Virginia and the Carolinas and as far west as Louisiana. The same species can also be found in the coastal and inland waters of Central and South America.

Female manatee are not reproductive mature until the age of 5 to 9 years and the male manatee is not thought to be mature until the age of 6 to 9. A cow will bear a calf normally every 2 to 5 years with a gestation period of 13 months.

The greatest danger to the manatee's survival is caused by humans. Boat propellers cause a large number of injuries to these animals. Natural occurring danger for the manatee is cold weather. HINT: You can get extra close to photograph the Manatees while snorkeling. Sometimes divers bubbles have a tendency to spook them. You may also want to adopt a Manatee while your on the trip.

RICK'S CARPOOL TRIP PRICE INCLUDES

Two Nights accommodations

(based on double occupancy)

One night accommodation in Florida (dbl. occupancy)

Entry & Diving fees to Ginny Springs

Two Half day boat rentals in Crystal River

Drift dive on Rainbow River

Welcome Group Dinner

Store trip Leader

Trip price TBA

Call for more info

About the _R^A^I^N^B^O_W River...

The Rainbow River is a first magnitude spring-fed river ranked fourth in the state for volume of discharge. This river produces 400-600 million gallons of water per day. WOW, that is a lot of crystal clear water. Wait till you put your head in the water, you will be amazed.. If you love docile animals you don't want to miss this trip!

	The springs rise in wooded rolling highlands in Marion County to form the headwaters of the Rainbow River. From the springs, the River runs 6 miles along a gently winding course to the Withlacoochee River at Dunnellon. Springs in addition to those at the head of Blue Run discharge from numerous rock crevices and sand boils in the bed of the run through much of its length.

Archaeological evidence indicates pre-historic cultures have used this area as early as 4,000 to 9,000 years ago. The Rainbow Springs have been a tourist attraction since the early 1890s and is a Florida State Park. The water temperature of the Rainbow River is a constant 73 degrees.

	The Rainbow River has been designated by the State of Florida as an Outstanding Florida Waterway and pristine Aquatic Preserve. One of only three freshwater rivers in the state to be an aquatic preserve!

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