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WHO ARE THEY?
Manatees originate from the family of an animal group called Sirenia. The word siren encompasses one of several sea nymphs (half woman and half bird) who lure sailors to their own death with their enchanting voices. They were given several names such as Sirens, Mermaids and Creatures according to different mythical depictions. However, people believed in the existence of mermaids, undersea creatures with a human head and torso and the tail of a marine animal. For that reason, people have often confused mermaids with manatees given their gracious movements under water.
Manatees are also called Sea cows. Since that they are vegetarian and slow-moving animals, they are often referred as swimming (or sea) cows. |
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VULNERABLE TO INJURIES?
Manatees like to swim near the surface of the water; they also move very slowly. Therefore, they often get hit by motor boats circulating in the area, resulting in serious injuries or death. Due their massive weight, they can also get caught up in fishing nets and cut themselves as they try to break free. In order to prevent these accidents, the manatee research and protection staff regularly monitors their behavior as well as the status of their population and habitat. If necessary, responsible organizations will prohibit motor boats to circulate in certain coastal waters to protect these lovely animals.
Manatees can live up to 60 years. They may sometimes be disturbed by crocodiles but their only significant predator is Human. |
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DECREASE IN VEGETATION = STARVATION?
Manatees are known to eat over 60 different species of plants. Some of them include turtle grass, sea grass shoal grass, different species of algae, mangrove leaves, hidrilla vericillata, and water hyacinths. Amazing, isn’t it? However, due to water pollution, many of these aquatic plants die, resulting in a shortage of food and, consequently, starvation for these vegetarians.
Manatees normally feed in the water but they sometimes swim partially out of the water to eat bankside vegetation, or to crop overhanging branches. |
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VISION
Although they have small eyes, manatees have a good eyesight; they can distinguish between objects of different sizes, colors, shapes and patterns. Moreover, they have a nictitating membrane that acts as second eyelid for protection.
HEARING
Do manatees have ears? If so, where would they be? In fact, they are located just behind the eyes and take the form of small pinholes on each side of the head. Studies have been made on their hearing acuteness, but researchers weren’t able to find results solid enough to build an assessment report.
TEETH
Manatees' only kind of teeth are called marching molars. That means their teeth are replaced from time to time due to their long hours of eating habits. Since they need to chew constantly, their teeth will weaken and new ones will replace. Manatees use their muscular lips to rip and bring plants to their lips. |
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BODY WEIGHT ≠ BODY FAT
Manatees are large in weight and size but they have little body fat. They live in the tropics and subtropics; therefore, they are accustomed to warm waters. Consequently, their lives could be endangered if the water temperature drops below 20C; they would be fatigued and refuse to eat. Unlike other animals, manatees do not necessarily have enough body fat to insulate against heat loss. On top of that, manatees’ metabolic rate is lower than other aquatic species such as dolphins because they are herbivores. |
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FLIPPERS FEEDING?
Yes! One special character about manatee mothers is they feed their babies on the nipple located just behind each of the flippers. When they swim together, the baby will hold onto the mother's back with its tiny flippers to swim along. The calf will be guided by the mother to breathe on the surface.
Manatees have a slow reproductive rate; usually, one calf is born every 2-5 years. At birth, the calf is around 3-4 feet long and weighs about 60-70 pounds. |
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