West Indian Manatee
By K.T.
Description
- aquatic mammal
- thick grey skin with coarse hairs/bristles
- large tail, and two front flippers
- communicate with squeals and screams; 1-18 KHz range (Marine Mammalogy para. 5)
- communication mostly between females and calves
- average adult; 800-1200 lbs., 10 ft. long (save manatee para.1)
- consume 60-100 lbs. of vegetation every day (Nature Works para. diet)
- top speed: 20 mph. (save manatee para. 3)
Food Chain and Habitat
- herbivore
- aquatic plants; food found in water
- eats seagrass, turtle grass, mangrove leaves, salt marsh leaves
- not a predator; has no natural enemies
- found in rivers and along the coasts of..,
Florida, Mexico, the Caribbean, and Northern South America
- terrain: ocean and rivers
- climate: warm/tropical
- home: water
Adaptation
- large paddle-like tail for propulsion
- two flippers used for sculling
- dense bones used to help them sink or go down
- large upper lip to help gather and eat food
- molars in cheeks are continually replaced after they are worn down
- usually swim at 3-5 mph. (Save The Manatee para. 3)
- migratory: travel south to warmer waters in the winter
Reasons For Endangerment
- mostly human related causes
- collisions with boats
- consumption of litter
- getting trapped/drowned in fishing lines, canal locks, and nets
- protected by Marine mammal Protection act of 1972
- illegal to capture, kill, hunt or harass manatees
- Manatees are gentle, kind creatures and should not be harmed
- they do not harm humans or other species in any ways