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MANATEE FACT SHEET |
| Name: Florida Manatee |
| Kingdom: Animalia |
| Phylum: Chordata |
| Class: Mammalia |
| Order: Sirenia |
| Family: Trichechidae |
| Genus: Trichechus |
| Species: Mamatus |
| Subspecies: Latirostris |
| Description: Large, seal-like body that tapers to a beaver-like tail. Two forelimbs with three or four nails on each. Thick skin, with stiff whiskers on upper lip |
| Color: Grey or grey-brown |
| Size: Typically about 9-10 feet long, weighing 1,000 pound. Can grow as large as 13 feet, weighing more than 3,000 pounds. |
| Behavior: Completely harmless and nonagressive, they are often shy and reclusive. |
| Vision: Depth perception may be limited. Can differentiate colors. |
| Hearing: Can hear well despite the absence of external ear lobes: directional hearing is limited. |
| Communication: Emit sounds that are within human auditory range. They make squeaks and squeals when frightened, playing or communication, particularly between cow and calf. |
| Breathing: Nostrils on upper surface of snout close tightly like valves when submerged. Surfaces to breathe every few minutes when active; every 10 to 15 minutes when resting. |
| Range/Habitat: Primarily restricted to peninsular Florida and south Georgia. They can be found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas, particularly where seagrasss beds flourish. they can live in fresh or salt water. |
| Reproduction: Normally one calf every 2 to 5 years. |
| Population: At least 1,850 remaining in the southeastern U.S. concentrated in Florida year-round |
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Photos Courtesy of: Clark Wheeler |
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| Photos Courtesy of: Greg Damato | |||
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Photos Courtesy of: Marty Senetra |
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| Photos Courtesy of: Riversport Kayaks | |||