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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 ...
They are more diverse than other manatees due to their ability to survive in salt water, although they do need access to fresh water for drinking purposes. [14] According to people of western Africa, Maame Water (also spelled Mami Wata), a recurring character in many coastal legends, is a goddess of the sea and a symbol of wealth and beauty.
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.
The teen remained swimming in the lake while all her friends were already on the boat and they were watching in shock when they saw their friend freaking out.
In other species, males that are smaller than females have higher fitness. As such, many sex-specific morphological adaptations (for example, in Dytiscidae diving beetles, females have setose dorsal furrows that males do not and males have suction cups on their forelegs that females do not [18]) are sexual dimorphisms caused by sexual coercion.
Manatees may become stranded or injured by debris during hurricanes. In years past, they have been discovered after hurricanes in a dry bay , in a golf course pond and a retention pond .
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.
Manatees are calm herbivores that spend most of their time eating, sleeping, and traveling. They have a lifespan of about 60 years [1] with no known natural enemies. Some of their deaths are the result of human activity. In the past, manatees were exploited for their meat, fat, and hides. [2]