Physical Characteristics
Manatees have a distinct, rounded body with paddle-shaped flippers and a large, flat, paddle-like tail that propels them through the water. Their skin is thick and wrinkled, often covered with algae due to their slow-moving lifestyle. Adult manatees can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh as much as 1,300 pounds, although sizes can vary among the species.
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One of the most notable features of manatees is their prehensile upper lip, which they use skillfully to grasp and manipulate vegetation. This adaptation is crucial for their herbivorous diet, allowing them to feed on a variety of aquatic plants.
Behavior and Diet
Manatees are primarily herbivores, feeding on a wide range of submerged, emergent, and floating vegetation. They consume up to 10-15% of their body weight in vegetation daily, which can amount to over 100 pounds of plant matter. Their diet includes sea grasses, algae, and other aquatic plants.
These gentle giants are known for their slow and leisurely lifestyle. They typically move at a pace of 3-5 miles per hour but can swim faster in short bursts if necessary. Manatees are also excellent divers, capable of staying submerged for up to 20 minutes at a time.
Socially, manatees are relatively solitary animals, although they do form temporary groupings, especially during the breeding season or in warm-water refuges during colder months. Communication among manatees is facilitated through vocalizations, which are used to express emotions and maintain contact with each other.
