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Although their flashier peers, alligators and dolphins, are far better known, West Indian manatees are partial to life along the Gulf Coast, too.

Seen year-round in the Gulf of Mexico and the Caloosahatchee River, the endangered mammals congregate in warm waters of the Orange River east of Fort Myers during winter, offering a prime opportunity to see them up close.

In an effort to educate people about the animals, Manatee World in Fort Myers offers leisurely tours of the manatees' winter habitat, with hour-long excursions aboard a large pontoon boat. Before setting out on the water, visitors can watch a video that tells the story of this critically endangered species. Once plentiful in local waters, the lumbering creatures were hunted almost to extinction until federal laws protected them in the 1970s. In recent years, fast-moving boats have caused countless manatee deaths. It's the rare sea cow that bears no propeller scars (although most killed by boats succumb to the impact of hulls rather than propellers). To avoid injuring the animals, the Manatee World pontoon boats move at a snail's pace through the calm river waters.

At first, it may be just a snout that's visible above the water's surface. But it's often followed by the bulbous body to which it's attached. Adults can grow to 10 feet and 1,200 pounds. In order to maintain their roly-poly physiques, manatees spend long hours munching 10 to 15 percent of their body weight in underwater grasses.

Besides the rare chance to view manatees, passengers are likely to see a lot of other wildlife, including alligators sunning themselves on the banks or taking a leisurely swim along the river.

Manatee World, 5605 Palm Beach Blvd., Fort Myers; 694-4042. Tours depart several times daily through April 30. Cost: $15 plus tax for adults, $7 for children between three and 12 years, and free for children under three.