Meet the Animals

West Indian Manatee
Trichechus manatus

Manatees live a quiet life. They prefer warm semi-tropical waters, where they congregate in groups, eating massive quantities of sea grasses and moving slowly from place to place. They are mostly found along the southern coast of Florida, but they migrate along the Gulf Coast up to Georgia, usually in summer when the water is warm and the manatees want fresh pastures. They've been seen as far north as Virginia, and can also be found around islands in the Caribbean.

They eat a variety of green water plants, including water hyacinths, and have to eat 5-10% of their body weight every day. Since they can grow to weigh 1000 pounds or more, that means they have to spend up to eight hours eating out of every 24, in order to get enough food. They are at home in either fresh or salt water, but prefer slow tides and shallow coastal areas.

Manatees have small brains for their size, but they communicate with sounds that are audible to the human ear. The sounds, which are mostly squeaks and squeals, are especially important for communication between mother and calf. Mothers usually have only one calf at a time, and it may remain with her for up to two years.

Manatees are vulnerable to death in a number of ways, as they are sensitive to chemicals, viruses, and sudden chill. Their only natural enemy is man. Historically, they were hunted for meat, bones, and hides. More recently, they have been killed regularly by collisions with recreational and commercial boats. They are considered an endangered species, and communities in Florida are trying to decide how to ensure that larger populations of manatees can survive.

Photo by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service

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