Manatees (family Trichechidae,
genus Trichechus) are large aquatic mammals sometimes known as
sea cows. The Trichechidae differ from the Dugongidae in the shape
of the skull and the shape of the tail. Manatees' tails are paddle-shaped,
while the Dugong's is forked. It is an herbivore, spending most
of its time grazing in shallow waters. Manatees inhabit shallow,
marshy coastal areas of North, Central, and South America, and
the Caribbean Sea. One species (the West African Manatee Trichechus
senegalensis) inhabits the west coast of Africa, another (the
Amazonian Manatee T. inunguis) inhabits the east coast of South
America, and a third (the West Indian Manatee T. manatus) the
West Indies in the Caribbean Sea. The Florida Manatee is by some
considered a distinct species, but ITIS treats it as a subspecies
of T. manatus, and this is now usual. It can reach 4.5 meters
(15 feet) or more in length, and lives both in fresh and salt
water. It was once hunted for its oil and flesh but is now legally
protected.
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The West Indian
Manatee is an endangered species. Although it does not have any
natural predators, human expansion has reduced its natural habitat
in the coastal marsh areas and many manatees are injured by the
propellers of outboard motor boats. Manatees will often ingest
fishing gear (hooks, metal weights, etc.) during feeding. These
foreign materials do not seem to harm manatees, except for monofilament
line or string. This can get clogged in the animal's digestive
system and slowly kill the animal. Manatees often congregate near
power plants, which warm the waters. Some have become reliant
on this source of unnatural heat and have ceased migrating to
warmer waters. Some power plants have recently been closing and
the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service is trying to find a new way
to heat the water for these manatees.
Above Images Are From US Fish & Wildlife Service
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