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The manatee is a large marine mammal also known as a sea cow with a pig-like snout, flippers for fore limbs, no hind limbs, and a flat tail. Despite their name, they are closely related to elephants. They are herbivores that graze on seagrass. Manatees range from 8 to 13 feet in size and can weigh between 440 to 1,300 lbs. They swim at around 5 mph but can reach speeds of up to 15 mph in short bursts.
Habitat
The Florida manatee is a type of West Indian manatee found in Florida and nearby states. Another subspecies, the Antillean manatee, lives in Mexico, Central America, and the Caribbean islands. The Amazonian manatee is found in the Amazon River and surrounding areas, while the West African manatee inhabits coastal areas and rivers from Senegal to Angola.
Fun Facts
A long time ago, manatees and dugongs were mistaken by sailors as mermaids or sirens.
Manatees have the smallest sized brain of all mammals.
Manatees eat about a tenth of their weight every day.
Manatee babies drink their mothers milk.
they do not have blubber, and cannot live below 68F water temperature.
Role and Importance
Manatees are a keystone species that play a vital role in shaping and maintaining the balance of their coastal and freshwater environments;
Manatees are herbivores and their grazing behavior prevents vegetation from becoming overgrown.
Manatees also consume invasive species like water hyacinth.
Their slow-moving and grazing habits contributes to seed dispersion, fertilization, nutrient transport affectively aiding diversity of plant life in their habitat.
Cause of decline
Manatees were regaining in numbers and even taken off the endangered species list in 2017, a move that garnered a great deal of opposition. They are still very much endangered and had an alarming death toll recently with 1.100 in 2021 and 824 in 2022. These numbers are due to loss of seagrass due to ocean warming.
Manatees have no natural predators, humans are their number 1 enemy.
The 4 greatest threats to manatees are:
Vessel strikes
Pollution from sewage leaks and agriculture run-offs.
Loss of seagrass due to increasing temperatures and algal blooms
Entanglement in fishing gear.
Conservation
The Cincinnati Zoo rehabilitates injured or orphaned manatees and returns them to their habitat about every 2-3 years. They currently have 3 female manatees that are ready to be released back to their Florida habitat this winter.
Other Efforts of conservation:
Creating protected areas and sanctuaries.
Implementing speed limits and boating regulations.
Educating the public about the importance of manatee conservation, eg. not touching them
Developing conservation plans for governments to enforce.
Monitoring manatee and seagrass populations.
How can you help
Report sightings of sick or distressed manatees
Participate in ocean clean-ups and properly dispose of trash
Use Seafood watch app for eating seafood that does not contribute to fishing line entanglement
Vote for politicians that care about the environment, many marine mammals need boating regulations and changes in boat design to survive.
Sign this petition to re-enlist manatees as endangered species
sign this petition to improve boater safety
Educate yourself and others by reading: Citizens Guide to Advocacy: Florida Harmful Algal Bloom Crisis
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