Where manatees live

There are three species of manatee: the Amazonian, the African, and the Caribbean. The Amazonian manatee lives in the Amazon River and nearby freshwater in South America. The African manatee lives in tropical West Africa. The Caribbean manatee is found in Florida and the West Indies.

Physical characteristics

Adult manatees may reach a length of 15 feet (4.6 meters) and a weight of 3,650 pounds (1,660 kilograms). They have heavy bodies that end in a flat, rounded tail. Manatees use their tail to move forward. Their thick, tough skin is almost hairless. They use their flippers for turning, handling food, and walking at the bottom of water. Manatees do not have good vision. They make frequent visits to the surface of the water to breathe.

Behavior

Manatees are herbivorous, meaning that they eat plants. They use their front flippers to push seaweed and other water plants toward their mouth.

Manatees, especially mothers and calves, produce faint underwater chirps, squeaks, and grunts. Members of a group also frequently communicate through muzzle-to-muzzle contact.

Life cycle

Manatees live alone or in small family groups, sometimes forming herds of 15 to 20 members. Females give birth to one calf every two to three years. Mother and calf stay together as a nursing pair for at least a year. The manatee's normal life span is 60 years.

Ecological issues

Adult manatees have no natural enemies, but they have been hunted by humans for their meat, hides, and oil. All three types of manatees are declining in population. The Amazonian manatee is listed as an endangered species. Manatees are easy targets because they live in confined, shallow waters. In areas where boat traffic is heavy, they are often injured or killed by boat propellers.