Trichechidae

Manatee at Sea World Orlando Mar 10

Trichechidae is a family within the order Sirenia, which also includes the Dugongidae (dugongs) and the extinct Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas). Members of the Trichechidae family are commonly known as manatees. These large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals are sometimes known as sea cows. The family Trichechidae comprises three species of manatees, found in coastal regions and rivers of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the Amazon Basin, and West Africa.

Description

Manatees are characterized by their spindle-shaped bodies, large, paddle-like flippers, and a flat, rounded tail used for propulsion in the water. They have a wrinkled head and face, with a split upper lip that is used for feeding on aquatic vegetation. Manatees are known for their slow metabolism and low reproductive rate, typically giving birth to a single calf after a gestation period of about 12 months.

Habitat and Distribution

Manatees inhabit warm coastal areas, rivers, and freshwater springs. They are commonly found in shallow, slow-moving waters, where they feed on a wide variety of aquatic plants. The distribution of manatees includes the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the northern and eastern coasts of South America, and the west coast of Africa. The species are divided geographically, with the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) found in the Americas, the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) in the Amazon Basin, and the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis) in West Africa.

Conservation

Manatees are vulnerable to a variety of threats, including habitat destruction, water pollution, boat strikes, and entanglement in fishing gear. They are protected under various international laws and agreements. However, despite these protections, all species of manatees are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) as vulnerable or endangered due to these ongoing threats.

Diet

Manatees are herbivores, feeding on a wide variety of submerged, emergent, and floating plants. Their diet varies depending on their location and the availability of plant resources. They are known to consume over 60 different species of plants, using their flexible, prehensile lips to gather food.

Reproduction

Manatees have a low reproductive rate, with females typically giving birth to one calf every two to five years. The gestation period lasts about 12 months, followed by a lengthy dependency period where the calf remains with the mother for 1-2 years. This slow reproduction rate makes manatee populations particularly vulnerable to threats.

Research and Conservation Efforts

Conservation efforts for manatees include habitat protection, research on population dynamics and health, public education campaigns to prevent boat strikes, and rehabilitation programs for injured manatees. International cooperation is crucial for the conservation of migratory species like the manatee.