On January 9, 1493, explorer Christopher Columbus, sailing near what is now the Dominican Republic, records in his ship's journal that, on the previous day, he saw three “mermaids”—in reality manatees—and describes them as “not half as beautiful as they are painted.” Six months earlier, Columbus (1451-1506) set off from Spain across the Atlantic Ocean with the Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, hoping to find a western trade route to Asia. Instead, his voyage, the first of four he would make, led him to the Americas, or “New World.” (The History Channel)
Manatees are part of the Sirenia order because they share characteristics with other animals in this group, including dugongs and sea cows. The name Sirenia comes from the Greek mythological sirens, who lured sailors to their island shores with their songs.
The Florida Manatee, which we all cherish, is a subspecies of the West Indian Manatee. These West Indian Manatees inhabit the Caribbean islands, Central America, and extend to northern and South America. The Florida Manatee resides in our state's coastal waters, springs, and rivers, but they are also known to migrate along the eastern coastline reaching as far north as Massachusetts. In the Gulf of Mexico, they can be found extending west to coastal Louisiana and occasionally reaching Texas.
Although Sirenian fossils have been discovered worldwide, only Florida and the Caribbean have specimens from each epoch of the last 50 million years (Reep and Bonde, 2006). The modern manatee, as we recognize it today, appeared in the Caribbean approximately 2 million years ago (Domning, 1982).
The name of our company (Salty Siren Tours) is both a nod to Sirenians and Mermaids, and we love having the opportunity to share passive observation snorkel tours or ecotours encountering these majestic mammals with our guests! Contact us today at: www.saltysirentours.com or at 352-794-1479 to get up close and personal with our native gentle giants here in Crystal River, Florida.
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