Manatee

Trichechus Diversity

Manatee skeleton with calf

West Indian Manatee Skull

Endangered Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus) (7636816484)

Manatee attitudes

Manatee plate

Manatees, also known as sea cows, are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals belonging to the family Trichechidae. There are three accepted species of manatee: the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), and the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis). These slow-moving creatures are known for their gentle nature and are closely related to the dugongs, which are the only living members of the order Sirenia along with manatees.

Description

Manatees have a distinctive appearance, with a stout, gray or brown, streamlined body with a flat, paddle-shaped tail. They have two flippers and a face that is almost puckered, with whiskers on the snout. Adult manatees typically measure up to 4 meters (13 feet) long and weigh between 400 and 550 kilograms (880 to 1,210 pounds), though some individuals can grow significantly larger.

Habitat and Distribution

Manatees inhabit coastal areas and rivers where they can find their primary food source, aquatic plants. The Amazonian manatee lives in the freshwater environments of the Amazon Basin; the West Indian manatee is found in the southeastern United States, the Caribbean, and parts of Central and South America; and the African manatee inhabits the west coast and rivers of Africa.

Behavior and Diet

Manatees are herbivores, feeding on a wide variety of submerged, emergent, and floating plants. They are known to eat over 60 different freshwater and saltwater plants. To sustain their large size, a manatee can eat up to 10-15% of its body weight in vegetation daily. They are mostly solitary animals but can be found in small groups, especially during mating season. Manatees are slow movers, typically cruising at about 5 kilometers per hour (3 miles per hour).

Reproduction

Manatees have a low reproductive rate, with females giving birth to one calf every two to five years after a gestation period of about 12 months. Calves are born weighing between 20 and 30 kilograms (44 to 66 pounds) and can swim on their own shortly after birth. They remain dependent on their mothers for up to two years.

Conservation Status

Manatees are vulnerable to extinction due to several factors, including habitat destruction, boat strikes, entanglement in fishing gear, and pollution. The West Indian manatee and the African manatee are classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), while the Amazonian manatee is considered Endangered. Conservation efforts include habitat protection, boat speed regulations in manatee habitats, and rehabilitation programs for injured individuals.

Cultural Significance

Manatees have been part of human culture and folklore in their native regions for centuries. They are often associated with myths and legends, including being mistaken for mermaids by early sailors. Today, they are a symbol of conservation efforts in their habitats and are popular with eco-tourists.