West Indian Manatees
- Common name is West Indian Manatee.
- Genus is Trichechus and its species is manatus (Trichechus manatus).
- West Indian Manatees are in the class of mammalia.
- These manatees are also called Florida Manatees and sea cows.
- West Indian Manatees are found in the coastal waters, rivers, and freshwater lagoons of Florida, the Caribbean, and the north east coast of South America.
- They are found in the ocean biome.
- They can live in these environments because of their flippers and their tails.
- The West Indian Manatees have grayish-brown skin that is thick and wrinkley.
- They have flippers and a tail that they use to move.
- An average manatee is around 10-12 ft. in length, while their weight is around 1,500-1,800 lbs.
- Usually, the females are a little larger than the males.
- Manatees are peaceful and gentle creatures.
- Their speed is usually quite slow, but they have been recorded to go 20mph.
- Manatees are endothermic. This means that they are warm blooded.
- Baby manatees are called calves.
- Manatees usually give birth to one calf, but, very rarely, they have twins.
- The calves will stay with their mother for up to two years.
- Other than their calves, manatees travel alone, not in groups.
- Manatees are herbivores.
- Their diet consists of manatee grass, turtle grass, algae, mangrove leaves, and many others.
- West Indian Manatees are related to two species: hyraxes and elephants.
Hyrax Elephant
West Indian Manatee Food Chain
- Manatees are very rarely bothered by alligaters.
- A manatee participates in a commensalisms relationship with algae. The manatee gives the algae a firm place to grow.
- Manatees comunicate by chirps, whistles and sqeaks, usually, only with their calves.
Interesting Facts and Behaviors:
- Manatees have no vocal chords but they still can make sound.
- Manatees have intestines up to 150 ft. long because of the high-fiber food they eat.
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Manatees are not endangered, but they are on the watch list. They are accidentally killed by careless boaters.
Sources:
Manatees, Patricia Corrigan, Pg.11, 1996
en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manatee