Download The Florida manatee, Florida`s state marine mammal, is a large

The Florida manatee, Florida’s state marine mammal, is a large aquatic relative of the
elephant. They are grayish brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin on which there
is often a growth of algae. Their front flippers help them steer or sometimes crawl
through shallow water. They also have powerful flat tails that help propel them through
the water. Despite their small eyes and lack of outer ears, manatees are thought to see
and hear quite well.
Fast Facts
Length: 10-12 feet.
Weight: 1,500-1,800 lbs.
Lifespan: 50-60 years in the wild.
Diet
Manatees are herbivores; they eat marine and freshwater plants.
Population
The largest population of manatees is found in Florida, where there are over 3,000
individuals.
Did You Know?
Manatees only have molars, which are used to grind food. As they wear down and fall
out, they are replaced with new teeth.
Range
Manatees take up residence primarily in Florida’s coastal waters during winter. Some
individuals migrate as far north as the Carolinas or as far west as Louisiana in summer.
In recent years, a manatee traveled to New York and another swam up the Mississippi
River!
Behavior Manatees can be found in the warm waters of shallow rivers, bays, estuaries
and coastal waters. Rarely do individuals venture into waters that are below 68 degrees
Fahrenheit. Well known for their gentle, slow-moving nature, manatees have also been
known to body surf or barrel roll when playing. They normally rest and feed often.
Manatees communicate by squealing under water to demonstrate fear, stress or
excitement.
Did You Know? Manatees only breathe through their nostrils, since while they are
underwater their mouths are occupied with eating!. Manatee lungs are 2/3 the length of
its body.
Reproduction
Mating Season: No specific period.
Gestation: About 1 year.
Number of offspring: 1 calf.
Calves are born weighing between 60 and 70 pounds and measuring about 3-4 feet.
They nurse underwater.
Climate Change and Other Threats
Since manatees spend their live in the water, climate change poses significant threats
to their well-being. Higher water temperatures along the Gulf Coast has lead to an
increase in toxic algae blooms, such as the red tide that killed more than 150 manatees
in 1996. Global warming also raises the odds against these already endangered
creatures by increasing the likelihood of larger and more frequent hurricanes.
Did You Know?
The closest living relatives to the manatee include the elephant and the hyrax.
Other threats to manatees include destruction and degradation of their coastal and
freshwater habitat. The leading known cause of death is by boat strikes; propellers and
hulls inflict serious or mortal wounds. Most manatees have a pattern of scars on their
backs or tails after surviving collisions with boats. Scientists use these patterns to
identify individuals. Manatees are also vulnerable to cold water. They have also been
found crushed or drowned in flood-control gates and suffer harm from exposure to toxic
red tide. In addition, a large number of manatees die from unknown causes each year.
Legal Status/Protection
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West Indian manatees in the United States are protected under federal law by the
Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 which make it illegal to harass, hunt,
capture, or kill any marine mammal. West Indian manatees are also protected by
the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. Violations of these federal or state
laws can be met with civil or criminal convictions associated with monetary fines
and/or imprisonment.
Endangered Species Act (ESA): The manatee is listed as endangered.