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Manatees (/ ˈ m æ n ə t iː z /, family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows.There are three accepted living species of Trichechidae, representing three of the four living species in the order Sirenia: the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), and the West ...
This individual inspects a kayak situation. Manatees are large marine mammals that inhabit slow rivers, canals, saltwater bays, estuaries, and coastal areas.They are a migratory species, inhabiting the Florida waters during the winter and moving as far north as Virginia and into the Chesapeake Bay, sometimes seen as far north as Baltimore, Maryland and as far west as Texas in the warmer summer ...
Instead of hind limbs, the manatee has a spatula-like paddle for propulsion in the water. Manatees have evolved streamlined bodies which lack external ear flaps, thus decreasing resistance in the aquatic environment. Pelage cover is sparsely distributed across the body, which may play a role in reducing the build-up of algae on their thick skin.
But let’s not take our eyes off what is truly hurting manatees in Florida: widespread water quality degradation. Over the past two years, we’ve lost 26% of Florida’s manatee population.
In 2021 and 2022, Florida’s manatee population took a hit as thousands of manatees died of starvation. Manatees were dying in record-breaking numbers. But that trend may be slowing down
A drop in coastal water temperatures in Florida due to a recent polar vortex has caused manatees to search for warmer waters. A polar vortex event in Florida may result from climate change, which ...
Manatees can also inhale these brevotoxins from the surface of the water as they come up for air, leading to respiratory symptoms and even drowning. [75] Manatee die-offs from exposure to red tide toxins were recorded by the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission in southwest Florida in 2002, 2003, 2005, 2007, and 2013.
The life support building contains 17 commercial rapid-sand filters and IntelliFlo pumps that process all water every 50 minutes allowing for excellent water quality that it is both healthy for the manatees and adequate for public viewing. A 2-ton, 16-foot mast, 16-feet jib crane sits between the calf and medical tanks to weigh and move animals.