Manatee


 * The West Indian Manatee  **

Name: Caitlin McCarl Common name of animal: West Indian Manatee Scientific name: Trichechus manatus Nickname: Sea cow

Category: mammal Description: very big mammals, they have very large body with flippers and a flattened tails that are rounded at the end (like a paddle). They are gray in color. Their faces have many whiskers and are rough. Average adults = nine feet long and weigh 1,000 pounds. Food: mainly herbivorous. They eat over 60 plant species. (Examples: mangrove leaves, turtle grass, types of algae). Adult manatees occasionally eat small amounts of fish. Breeding: live birth, one calf

Location: Alabama, Georgia, North Carolina, Florida, Louisiana, Mississippi, Puerto Rico, South Carolina, Texas, Virgin Islands (Countries: Bahamas, Belize, Brazil, Colombia, Costa Rica, Cuba, Dominican Republic, El Salvador, French Guiana, Guatemala, Guyana, Haiti, Honduras, Jamaica, Mexico, Nicaragua, Panama, Puerto Rico, Trinidad and Tobago, US Virgin Islands, United States, Venezuela.) Habitat: marine environments such as estuaries and freshwater environments, live in shallow, marshy areas, prefer warmer waters, Migratory: yes, migrate to Florida rivers. Manatees have been seen as far north as Cape Cod and New York City. Manatees live in water and yes they hibernate Predators: humans (human related issues are the main cause of death) (habitat destruction and human objects), poaching, natural causes (temperature and disease), boats (propellers), sharks, crocodiles, and alligators The main cause of decrease in the manatee population and the threat of them becoming extinct is human related issues. A leading cause of death for the manatee is boats and their propellers. Often because of the manatees slow and laid back nature they are hit by propellers and are severely injured, cut, or killed. Even if the manatee is not killed by the propeller yet has been severely cut by it, the cut can lead to an infection and disease leading to its death. The destruction of their habitat also risks their survival chances. The manatee is also affected by natural predators such as sharks, crocodiles, alligators, and temperature change. Some manatees are kept in captivity where they are protected and cared for. Many zoos and aquariums own manatees. They feed, care for, and breed the manatees. There are new plans for a National Wildlife Conservation Park in Bristol, England. Manatees are planned to be added to this park in 2015. U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service [] Save the Manatee Club [] National Geographic [] The Wild Ones Animal Index [] Manatees []