1. 12:45 ORDER SIRENIA - MANATEES
Phylum Chordata; Class Mammalia
NEPA
NRCA
The Florida manatee has been protected by law since 1893 and by the Endangered Species Act of only about
3000 still survive.

2. Distribution of Manatees
Trichechus manatus
T. inunguis
T. senegalenis

3. There were 5 populations in the Order Sirenia – 4 remain.
1. West Indian - Trichechus manatus migrates from Brazil to Florida in the ocean, and often spends the winter in warm rivers.
2. West African Manatee Trichechus senegalensis is the least well known and  occurs in coastal waters, brackish estuaries, and adjacent rivers along the coast of West Africa
3. Amazonian Manatee
Trichechus inunguis
Throughout the Amazon River Basin of northern South America smallest member of the family, the Amazonian manatee can be distinguished by smooth rubbery skin and lack of vestigial nails on its flippers. Occurs exclusively in freshwater environments.

4. Dugong - Dugong dugon found in Australia and Indonesia, has a tail shaped like a mackerel, only horizontal.
Kradanisland.com
5. Stellar Sea Cow -Hydrodamalis gigas hunted to extinction within 27 years of its discovery in 1741 in the Bering Strait

5. The average manatee is 10 feet long and weighs ~ 1000 pounds.
Manatees are related to the elephant through biochemistry and external features.
The average manatee is 10 feet long and weighs ~ 1000 pounds.
Calves are around 4 feet long and weigh ~ 60 pounds.
USGS
These herbivores may eat 100 pounds of sea grass a day or
10 % of their total body weight. They have large lips to hold plants and replaceable back molars.

6. Many manatees are identified by their propeller scars.
They like warm, shallow water and need fresh water to drink. Their constant eating helps clear navigational channels of water weeds.
FWS
However, by inhabiting rivers they encounter boats where 50% of their deaths are from human-related boating accidents.
Many manatees are identified by their propeller scars.

7. Mammal characteristics:
1. whiskers (vibrissae) on snout used to rake in plants
2. mammary glands - cows nurse young for a year; glands are located under the flippers
3. live births - gestation period 13 months; produce one calf every 3-5 years.
They do not reach sexual maturity until 5-9 years old and may live up to 60 years.
4. large brain, but poor vision
5. warm blooded with a 4 chambered heart
6. stomach has compartments and it ruminates

8. 7. breathes air - may dive for 20 minutes
8. marine mammal tail - horizontal paddle
9. can produce a high-pitched whistle for communication
Because they have no predators, no social structure and are not territorial.
Herds have no leader and no permanent bonds are formed for mating.