Ten fun facts about Manatees
Fact 1
Manatees are found in slow-moving shallow rivers, estuaries, canals, saltwater bays and coastal areas where freshwater vegetation and sea grass beds flourish.
Fact 2
They eat floating aquatic and semi–aquatic plants. Their min food is algae but they also eat fish and invertebrates. The amount of vegetation consumed daily by a manatee is equivalent to 10 – 15% of their body weight.
Fact 3
These mammals rest submerged at the bottom and come up to breathe on an average of three to five minutes.
Fact 4
They can swim in short bursts for up to 20 mph though their normal speed is 3 – 5 mph.
Fact 5
Manatees live up to 60 years and weigh about 2,000 lbs. They grow to 12 ft. in length.
Fact 6
A manatee reaches sexual maturity when it is about 5 years of age. One calf is born once in 2 – 5 years. The gestation period is one year and mothers nurse their young for one to two years.
Fact 7
Manatees can hear well though they do not have ear lobes externally and can see quite well.
Fact 8
Their colors are usually gray or gray-brown. They are 9 ft long and weigh about 1,000 lbs.
Fact 9
They lose their teeth continuously and new tooth that form at the back of the mouth push the existing teeth in front.
Fact 10
Manatees have 3 - 4 fingernails on each of their flippers. These are used to roll, somersault, swim upside down and vertically and walk on shallow water.
More interesting reads about...
Caimans
Are large aquatic reptiles commonly referred as the Spectacled Caiman as the ridges above their eyes appear as if they wear sunglasses.
Water Buffalos
Are large formidable mammals with sparse black-gray coats that belong to the Bovine family.
Eels
Are snake-like fish from the order Anguilliformes that occupy both fresh water as well as saltwater habitats.
Hippopotamuses
Are extremely heavyweight animals with a round body, short, stocky legs and a large head.
Walruses
Are the most garrulous pinnipeds or marine mammals with broad heads, flippers, short muzzle, small eyes, tusks and whiskers.
Narwhals
Are medium sized whales belonging to the Monodontidae family and found in the Arctic regions all year round.
Sea Lions
Are marine fin-footed mammals in the family Otariidae and have the ability to walk on all fours.
Tigers
Have been around for 2 million years but considered an endangered species with only about 4,000 surviving in the wild today.
Wombats
Are muscular burrowing marsupials with a short tail, backward facing pouch and four short legs.
MORE IN ANIMALS
