These 2 amazing pictures were taken by Michelle with her underwater camera and actually taken from the boat!
The famous Mr. Chocolate who is responsible for setting up the nature reserve a Swallow Caye.One of Michelles main reasons for visiting Belize was to see the Manatee. When I was at Caye Caulker last year I went out with Mr. Chocolate who is responsible for setting up the Swallow Caye Reserve that provides a safe haven for the Manatee. So when Michelle told me she wanted to go on a tour I contacted Chocolate and he remembered me from last year. We had a great day on the water and saw many Manatee. The highlight of the tour was when Michelle reached out her hand and a Manatee came so close and allowed her to stroke its back and tail, she was thrilled!
Apart from seeing the Manatee, Chocolate also takes his guests to a couple of neat snorkeling spots (see seperate post) and the cost of this tour is well worth the money.
West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus). Manatees in Belize are Antillean Manatees (Trichechus manatus manatus), a subspecies of the West Indian Manatee (the Florida Manatee is a separate subspecies, Trichechus manatus latirostris). Belize is home to the largest known concentration of Antillean Manatees in the wider Caribbean.
Antillean manatees are found in rivers, bays, canals, estuaries and coastal areas that are at least 3.25 feet deep with lots of sea grass and other vegetation (along with vegetation, Antillean manatees have been known to eat fish from nets). Manatees prefer water temperatures over 70o F (21o C). Manatees can survive in fresh water, salt water and brackish water -- and move easily from one to another.
The 2 sites below give some excellent information about the Manatee and Swallow Caye. I am now a member of the Friends of Swallow Caye, a group that is working to save the Manatee in Belize.
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