Manatee are a rare species. They are one of America's top endangered animals. This web site was made to give a little information on this unique animal.
The manatee's closest living relative is the elephant. It's root's can be traced back 60 million years ago the the Palocene Epoch. This animal is also called the "sea-cow" because it eats plants. They live in both salt and fresh water. They can grow to be as long as 13 feet and weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. The average manatee is 9 feet long and weighs around 1,000 pounds. The female manatees are usually larger than the male manatee. The females can give birth to one calf every three to five years. The carry their children for up to 13 months. They are a grayish-brown color. Their bodies are shaped like dolphins but much larger. The tails look like large paddles and are rounded. This is important because most round tailed animals have slow swimming speeds. Their forelimbs, which look like thick flippers, help them to stir are swim in the direction that they wish. Each of the forlimbs have three or four finger nails on them. Their upper lip is made up of thick, wrinkled skin that has stiff whiskers on them.
More Quick Facts
- The manatees bones are very thick so that it can easily sink to the bottom to get its food.
- They have 24 to 32 molars. When the teeth in front start to get dull, the new teeth in the back start to grow and move forward.
- Manatees swim about 15 mph, which is very slow, and because of this can not always protect it self from danger. Propellers can cut them and power boats can do harm their forelimbs/flippers.
- Manatee are protected by the Endangered Species Act because they are easily exposed to harm.
- It is against the law to harm a manatee in any kind of way.
For more information on manatee and how you can help look at these sites:
Gasp! Wildlife of the Gulf of Mexico
Find Out About the Gulf of Mexico's Marine Mammals
Manatees
Author: Dora M. (Galveston Bay Project for Girls Summer 1999)
Last updated: 6/21/99
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