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Threatened

West Indian Manatee

A gentle giant of warm coastal waters, the West Indian manatee is a slow-moving herbivore often called a "sea cow." These curious, social creatures spend their days grazing on seagrass, drifting through shallow waters, and seeking refuge in warm springs during winter.
Scientific Name: Trichechus manatus
Size: 9–13 feet (2.7–4 meters)
Weight: 800–1,200 lbs (363–544 kg), but some exceed 3,500 lbs!

Meet the West Indian Manatee

The West Indian manatee is a large, gray, barrel-shaped marine mammal with a wrinkled face, paddle-like flippers, and a round, flat tail. Known for their slow, peaceful nature, manatees spend much of their time eating, resting, and exploring their environment.

Despite their large size, manatees are incredibly agile swimmers, capable of floating effortlessly, performing graceful barrel rolls, and even swimming backward. Unlike whales or dolphins, manatees are strict herbivores, feeding exclusively on aquatic vegetation.

Manatees have no natural predators, but human activities pose severe threats, especially boat strikes, pollution, and habitat destruction.

Habitat

West Indian manatees require warm, shallow waters to survive. They prefer:

  • Freshwater Springs (such as Blue Spring State Park in Florida)
  • Brackish Estuaries & Lagoons (like the Indian River Lagoon)
  • Coastal Bays & Seagrass Beds (such as Tampa Bay and the Gulf of Mexico)

Since manatees cannot survive in water below 68°F (20°C), they migrate seasonally between feeding grounds and warm winter refuges. Many Florida manatees rely on natural springs and artificial warm water sources, like power plant outflows, to survive colder months.

Lifespan

Manatees typically live 30–40 years, but some individuals have been recorded at over 60 years old. Unfortunately, many die prematurely due to human-caused threats such as boat collisions, habitat destruction, and pollution.

Diet

Manatees are strict herbivores, consuming up to 100 pounds (45 kg) of vegetation daily. Their diet consists of:

  • Seagrasses
  • Freshwater vegetation
  • Algae & mangrove leaves

Manatees use their prehensile, flexible lips to grab and manipulate plants, grinding them down with continuously growing molars to compensate for wear.

Reproduction

Manatees reproduce slowly, making population recovery difficult.

  • Gestation period: ~12–14 months
  • Calves per birth: Usually one calf (twins are extremely rare)
  • Weaning period: 1–2 years (calves stay close to their mothers)

Manatee mothers are highly protective and nurture their calves underwater, feeding them from a mammary gland located near their flipper.

Interesting Facts

  • Closest relative? The elephant! Manatees and elephants share a common ancestor, and manatees even have vestigial toenails on their flippers.
  • Breath-holding experts! Manatees breathe every 3–5 minutes, but when resting, they can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes.
  • They talk! Manatees communicate with chirps, whistles, and squeaks, especially between mothers and calves.
  • They never stop growing teeth! Manatees have "marching molars" that continuously grow in the back as old ones wear down.
  • Despite their size, they can swim fast! Though usually slow-moving, manatees can reach speeds of up to 15 mph in short bursts.

Predators & Natural Threats

West Indian manatees have no natural predators, but they face severe threats from humans:

  • Boat Strikes – The leading cause of manatee deaths. Many manatees bear deep propeller scars from collisions.
  • Habitat Destruction – Coastal development destroys seagrass beds and blocks migration routes.
  • Cold Stress – Manatees are hypersensitive to cold temperatures and can die from exposure.

Red Tides & Pollution – Toxic algal blooms poison manatees and destroy their food sources.

Behavior

Human Interactions

"Almost all the waterways in Florida have become speedways for a growing armada of pleasure boats, and the peaceful manatee’s greatest single unnatural enemy has become a motorboat propeller."
—Captain Jacques Cousteau, The Forgotten Mermaids

Once hunted for their meat, oil, and leather, manatees today face new dangers from boating, pollution, and habitat loss.

  • Boat Collisions – The #1 cause of human-related manatee deaths.
  • Tourist Disturbance – While swimming with manatees is allowed in Crystal River, harassment is illegal.
  • Power Plant Dependence – Manatees rely on warm water discharges, making them vulnerable if power plants shut down.

Conservation Efforts

West Indian manatees are protected under multiple laws:

  • Endangered Species Act (ESA)
  • Marine Mammal Protection Act (MMPA)
  • CITES Appendix I (bans international trade)

Key conservation efforts include:

  • Speed Zones & No-Wake Areas – Boat speed restrictions reduce collisions.
  • Seagrass Restoration – Efforts replenish feeding areas.
  • Tracking & Rescue – Scientists monitor migration with GPS tags and rescue injured manatees.

Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Animalia
Phylum: Chordata
Class: Mammalia
Order: Sirenia
Family: Trichechidae
Genus: Trichechus
Species: Trichechus manatus