Quck answer
Manatees are large aquatic mammals that spend most of their time swimming, eating, resting, and repeating the cycle. They are herbivores that feed on seagrass and other aquatic plants. Manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes while underwater, and they typically surface every three to five minutes to breathe. They are social creatures that often gather in large groups, especially during the winter months when they seek warmer waters. Unfortunately, manatees are an endangered species due to habitat loss and human-related factors such as boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Conservation efforts are underway to protect these gentle giants and ensure their survival.
Wild Animals
A photo of a Florida manatee in the Crystal River taken by Alastair Pollock Photography/Getty Images.
Back in the early 1990s, while visiting my school library, I stumbled upon a nature magazine and fell in love with the sea cow, which is formally known as the manatee. This beautiful, bulky, gray, wrinkled swimmer with beady eyes and a seemingly happy smile became my animal soulmate. I showed an advertisement for the Save the Manatee Club to my teacher, and my entire class started donating money to sponsor a sea cow in Florida. Today, I remain obsessed with these gentle giants and proudly sponsor a manatee named Electra, who was rescued after a boat strike in 1998. I own Mana-Tea infusers and a sea cow sticker on my laptop, and I frequently get tagged in social media posts related to my aquatic loves. Therefore, when asked to write a comprehensive article on these super chill marine mammals, I screamed a bit and then got to work. Here is everything you’d ever want to know about manatees, brought to you by a lifelong fan.
What Are Manatees?
Manatees are “roly-poly herbivores,” according to Smithsonian.com. These slow, sizable swimmers belong to the animal order Sirenia, which also includes the dugong and an extinct species called the Steller’s sea cow. There are three species of manatees: the Amazonian, West African, and West Indian manatees (the last one is divided into two separate subspecies: Florida manatee and Caribbean manatee). They live in shallow, calm waters, including rivers, estuaries, canals, coastal areas, and saltwater bays, and many of them are big fans of Florida (though they travel as far north as Virginia and the Carolinas). The West Indian manatee lives along the North American east coast from Florida to Brazil; the Amazonian manatee hangs along the Amazon River; and the African manatee swims along the west coast and rivers of Africa. Their plant-based diet consists of seagrass or freshwater vegetation.
However, the high level of manatee deaths recorded between Jan. 1 and July 2, 2021, has “met the criteria to be declared an Unusual Mortality Event (UME) by the Working Group on Marine Mammal Unusual Mortality Events,” according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission. With 841 manatee deaths recorded, this is the highest number of manatee deaths in recorded history. Environmentalists believe water pollution is killing the seagrass beds in the Indian River and the waters of surrounding counties, which is a problem for these sweet, migratory swimmers.
Florida’s Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission has reported an unusually high number of manatee deaths due to starvation along the Atlantic coast during the winter and spring. The majority of deaths occurred in the Indian River Lagoon, where most seagrass has died off. According to Cheyenne Canon, conservation associate at Save the Manatee Club, modern manatees have been in Florida for over a million years. They are a subspecies native to Florida and genetic studies suggest that they colonized Florida from the Greater Antilles thousands of years ago. Despite their huge size, manatees are beloved by their fans for their cute and cuddly appearance, calm and curious nature, and approachable demeanor. However, their lives are often threatened by human-related causes, particularly watercraft, which can cause severe blunt force trauma or cut a manatee multiple times with the boat propeller.
If you are a boat owner and plan to sail through areas where manatees are known to be present, it is important to be cautious and take the necessary safety measures. Avoid shallow waters as much as possible and use common sense. You can also download a free brochure from the Save the Manatee Club for more information on this topic. However, be warned that the brochure cover image of a heartbroken manatee with the words “if you love me, please don’t touch or feed me” may break your heart.
Canon, a representative of the Save the Manatee Club, suggests that the best way to protect manatees is to boat carefully in areas where they are commonly found and to follow the posted speed limits. These zones are carefully researched to determine their importance to manatees and the likelihood of their presence. Boaters can also help by reporting any manatees in need of help, such as lone calves, those with fresh wounds, or those that may be cold-stressed, to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC).
Despite being a threatened species listed under the Endangered Species Act, manatees are still at risk. The Save the Manatee Club disagrees with the downlisting of manatees from “endangered” to “threatened” in 2017, as many threats that resulted in their endangered status have not improved or have worsened. In 2017, 8% of the Florida manatee population died, and in 2018, 13% were lost due to a statewide red tide.
The West Indian manatees in the United States are protected by federal law under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, as well as the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. Violations of these laws can result in civil or criminal convictions, including monetary fines and imprisonment.
There are several ways to support manatees, including adopting one through the Save the Manatee Club, donating to project funds, holding fundraisers, assisting with education and advocacy efforts, and volunteering. Visit savethemanatee.org/how-to-help for a more comprehensive list of ways to support these gentle giants of the sea.
Research has shown that manatees have sensitive body hairs that can detect subtle changes in water movement, which helps them navigate despite their poor eyesight.
FAQ
1. What is a manatee?
A manatee is a large, slow-moving marine mammal that is also known as a sea cow. It is a herbivore that can weigh up to 1,300 pounds and grow up to 13 feet long. Manatees are found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas in the waters of North and South America.
2. What do manatees eat?
Manatees are herbivores that primarily feed on seagrasses, as well as other aquatic plants, such as algae and mangrove leaves. They can consume up to 10-15% of their body weight in food each day, and spend up to 8 hours a day grazing.
3. Are manatees endangered?
Yes, manatees are considered a vulnerable species and are listed as endangered under the Endangered Species Act. They are threatened by habitat loss, boat strikes, cold stress, and other factors. Conservation efforts are underway to protect and conserve manatee populations.
4. How do manatees communicate?
Manatees communicate with each other through a variety of vocalizations, including chirps, whistles, and squeaks. They also use body language, such as tail slaps and snout touches, to communicate with other manatees.
5. What are some of the natural predators of manatees?
Manatees have few natural predators, but they can be attacked by alligators or crocodiles, and some sharks. The biggest threat to manatees, however, is humans, who pose a danger to manatees through habitat destruction, pollution, and boat collisions.
6. How do manatees sleep?
Manatees are known for their slow movements and are often seen resting or sleeping near the surface of the water. When they sleep, they typically float in a vertical position, with their noses just above the water’s surface.
7. How long do manatees live?
Manatees can live up to 60 years in the wild, but the average lifespan of a manatee is around 40 years. In captivity, manatees have been known to live longer than 60 years.
8. How do manatees mate?
Manatees mate in the water, with the male chasing the female until he can grasp her with his flippers. The actual act of mating lasts only a few seconds, but the gestation period for manatees is around 12 months, and the female typically gives birth to a single calf.
9. How fast can manatees swim?
Manatees are not known for their speed and typically swim at a leisurely pace of 3 to 5 miles per hour. However, they can swim up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts when threatened or startled.
10. What is the biggest threat to manatees?
The biggest threat to manatees is human activity, including habitat destruction, pollution, and boat strikes. In areas where manatees are found, there are often boating restrictions and speed limits in place to protect them from collisions with boats.
11. How can I help protect manatees?
You can help protect manatees by supporting conservation efforts, such as donating to organizations that work to protect manatees and their habitat, and by being mindful of your impact on the environment. You can also avoid boating in areas where manatees are known to live, and be sure to follow boating regulations and speed limits to prevent collisions with manatees.
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