1. The Manatee The Manatee By: Lindsey Marks

2. Introduction Do cows really live in the sea? They do! The manatee. This is a great animal, and if you don’t know much about it, this might be your new best friend. Do cows really live in the sea? They do! The manatee. This is a great animal, and if you don’t know much about it, this might be your new best friend.

3. What does it eat? Mmmmmhhh! You are going to discover what they eat! The manatee is a herbivore or a vegetarian. What these animals eat include… manatee grass, turtle grass, hydrilla, water hyacinth, and water lettuce. This mammal weighs from 1,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds. This herbivore can eat up to 200 pounds of plants per day. A manatee does not hunt any other animals. We communicate, so manatees must communicate also.

4. How does it communicate? Do manatees communicate like us? Well, they sure don’t. Manatee’s make emit sounds, squeak, chirp and whistle. The squeaks will change while angry or, mad. This way of communicating is amazing. When a boater is near, it will scream just like a human. Also, when it is sleeping it grunts like a pig. Calfs have weird communication. When a calf can’t find it’s mother they cry loudly until they get a response. Calf’s and their mothers are the only manatee’s that are loud. Just a couple more stops until we are done.

5. What does it look like? What resembles the walrus? The manateee! Now, you will learn about what it looks like. This type of mammal has grey-brown spongy skin. The adult has live plants growing on it’s back. When the calf is born, it is bigger than most 1 st graders. Also when the calf is born it is Grey and White. There is no plants on a calf’s back. We still haven’t discovered where they live. What resembles the walrus? The manateee! Now, you will learn about what it looks like. This type of mammal has grey-brown spongy skin. The adult has live plants growing on it’s back. When the calf is born, it is bigger than most 1 st graders. Also when the calf is born it is Grey and White. There is no plants on a calf’s back. We still haven’t discovered where they live.

6. What is it’s habitat? Next on our journey we will meet them. Did you know that they migrate? In the winter, they travel to Florida. Summer Sightings include, Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, and Georgia. This amazing critter can live in fresh, salt or brackish water. These animals are also found in the West Indies or the Bahama’s. The average speed for the manatee is 3-5 miles per hour. Let’s learn some amazing things.

7. Fun Facts – Fun Facts! Here are some sweet things. When the early sails discovered the manatee, it was a mermaid. The manatee floats upside down. Like dogs, manatee’s love to be pet and scratched. Now it is time to say bye.

8. Conclusion Finally, you are an expert on this animal. Would you maybe write a report about the manatee? Manatees Rock! Finally, you are an expert on this animal. Would you maybe write a report about the manatee? Manatees Rock!

9. Resources Manatee’s By: Frank Staub Manatee’s By: Frank Staub The Manatee By: The Silverstein’s and Nun’s The Manatee By: The Silverstein’s and Nun’s www.homesafe.com www.homesafe.com www.homesafe.com www.nationalgeographic.com www.nationalgeographic.com www.nationalgeographic.com www.seaworld.com www.seaworld.com www.seaworld.com www.google.com www.google.com