This is the moment a terrified spring-breaker freaked out and begged for help - to escape from a harmless sea cow . The swimmer was in the water in Florida when she was filmed screaming out in horror as a giant manatee floated past just inches away . Footage , taken with the help of a selfie-stick , starts by showing the girl 's frightened face as she treads water desperately looking around for the plant-eating creature . Terror : A spring-breaker filmed her own terrified reaction when a manatee floated past her in Florida . Stay out of the water : The young swimmer was heard screaming out in terror as the harmless creature approached . Seemingly on the verge of hysteria , Seconds later , she shouts out 'Oh my God , get me out of here ' , only for friends on a nearby boat to reply : 'It 's behind you . ' The manatee then swims towards her prompting the cry : ‘ Oh my God . I see it , I see it . It ’ s right next to me. ’ The young swimmer managed to avoid coming into contact with the sea cow , which came in to view a number of times during the short clip . Frightened : The young swimmer managed to avoid coming into contact with the sea cow , which came in to view a number of times during the short clip . Harmless : Manatees are plant-eating creatures that can grow up to 13ft and have a top speed of just 5mph ( file picture ) The video was posted on Youtube by Katie Gingrich , a friend of the girl . According to The Dodo , it is illegal to 'annoy , molest , harass , or disturb any manatee ' under the Endangered Species Act . Manatees bask in warm waters and spend their days grazing on seagrass . They are capable of growing to up to 13ft long and weighing 550kg ( 1,210lb ) - but have a a top speed of just 5mph .
Swimmer uses selfie-stick to film her reaction when manatee floats past . Frightened Spring-breaker was in water in Florida when she took footage . The short clip shows the giant herbivorous creature passing within inches .