1. Manatees: Nature’s Gentle Giants Created by: Talia P. Brown

2. Family Trichechidae There are three species in this family. There are three species in this family. They have streamlined bodies, a boxy snout, and vestigial nails. They have streamlined bodies, a boxy snout, and vestigial nails. Manatees are often confused with dugongs. They can be distinguished by skull shape, flipper divisions, and placement of teeth. Manatees are often confused with dugongs. They can be distinguished by skull shape, flipper divisions, and placement of teeth.

3. West Indian manatee Of the species Trichechus manatus, these manatees are found in the shallow waters along the coasts of Florida, the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. These manatees consume 5-10% of their body weight daily. They can survive on 25% less energy than a typical mammal of similar size. Of the species Trichechus manatus, these manatees are found in the shallow waters along the coasts of Florida, the Caribbean, South America, and Central America. These manatees consume 5-10% of their body weight daily. They can survive on 25% less energy than a typical mammal of similar size.

4. African manatee From the species Trichechus senegalensis, these manatees live along the west coast of Africa. Villagers of Sierra Leone and Nigeria hunt manatees for their meat. Their skin was once used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. Villagers of Cameroon fear that manatees will become violent if attacked. From the species Trichechus senegalensis, these manatees live along the west coast of Africa. Villagers of Sierra Leone and Nigeria hunt manatees for their meat. Their skin was once used for medicinal and therapeutic purposes. Villagers of Cameroon fear that manatees will become violent if attacked.

5. Amazonian manatee Of the species Trichechus inunguis, these manatees live in the Amazon basin of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Peru. The earliest fossils of this genus is from the Pleistocene deposits in the eastern United States and Argentina. Of the species Trichechus inunguis, these manatees live in the Amazon basin of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana, and Peru. The earliest fossils of this genus is from the Pleistocene deposits in the eastern United States and Argentina.

6. Size An average manatee weighs about 1,500 pounds (680 kg) and grows to a length of 10 – 14 feet (3 – 4 m). An average manatee weighs about 1,500 pounds (680 kg) and grows to a length of 10 – 14 feet (3 – 4 m). Some really large manatees may weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. Some really large manatees may weigh as much as 3,000 pounds. Females are usually bigger than males. Females are usually bigger than males.

7. Sight It is presumed that what a manatee can see underwater is comparable to what a person can see while wearing goggles underwater. It is presumed that what a manatee can see underwater is comparable to what a person can see while wearing goggles underwater. Marine biologists have wondered if manatees are nearsighted. Some believe that the hairs on their body and snout help them to navigate through murky waters. Marine biologists have wondered if manatees are nearsighted. Some believe that the hairs on their body and snout help them to navigate through murky waters.

8. Hearing Like most marine animals, manatees don’t have external ears. Manatees hear using the entire skull. Like most marine animals, manatees don’t have external ears. Manatees hear using the entire skull. Manatees are very sensitive to sound. They rely on this keen ability to warn them of motorboats when they are resurfacing for air at night. Manatees are very sensitive to sound. They rely on this keen ability to warn them of motorboats when they are resurfacing for air at night.

9. Communications Manatees transmit high pitched sounds that humans can hear several hundred feet away. Manatees transmit high pitched sounds that humans can hear several hundred feet away. How these sounds are made is a mystery. Manatees have no vocal cords, there is no movement of the mouth, lips, or throat, nor is any air or water taken in or pushed out. How these sounds are made is a mystery. Manatees have no vocal cords, there is no movement of the mouth, lips, or throat, nor is any air or water taken in or pushed out.

10. Momma and Calf A mother manatee can identify her calf’s cry and visa versa. Each manatee has a unique sound. A mother manatee can identify her calf’s cry and visa versa. Each manatee has a unique sound. Mothers are the primary caregivers of the baby calf. Fathers have no role in “raising” the calf. Mothers are the primary caregivers of the baby calf. Fathers have no role in “raising” the calf. The mother nurses the calf for a few weeks after birth. Then underwater grass is added to its diet. The mother nurses the calf for a few weeks after birth. Then underwater grass is added to its diet. Calves stay with the mother for the first two years – learning to survive. Calves stay with the mother for the first two years – learning to survive.

11. Breathing Manatees, which are mammals, breath air through their nostrils. Manatees, which are mammals, breath air through their nostrils. They breathe every few minutes when active or swimming and every 10 – 15 minutes during rest. Manatees surface at night while sleeping to breathe. They breathe every few minutes when active or swimming and every 10 – 15 minutes during rest. Manatees surface at night while sleeping to breathe. “Smell-taste” is the manatee’s sixth sense. This is associated with waterborne odors. It creates sort of a guide and map to these creatures, which helps compensate for their vision. Manatees even have been known to leave scent messages for each other. “Smell-taste” is the manatee’s sixth sense. This is associated with waterborne odors. It creates sort of a guide and map to these creatures, which helps compensate for their vision. Manatees even have been known to leave scent messages for each other.

12. Habitat/Migration Manatees can be found in estuaries, coastal waterways, saltwater bays, canals, and freshwater rivers. Manatees can be found in estuaries, coastal waterways, saltwater bays, canals, and freshwater rivers. They do not like deep waters and usually stick to water that is 3 – 10 feet deep. They do not like deep waters and usually stick to water that is 3 – 10 feet deep. Manatees need warm weather to survive. This is the reason for their migratory behavior. Some have even found refuge power plant outlets. Manatees need warm weather to survive. This is the reason for their migratory behavior. Some have even found refuge power plant outlets. A manatee who has been swimming in an area too cold might have white lines to show a reaction – sort of like an allergic reaction. A manatee who has been swimming in an area too cold might have white lines to show a reaction – sort of like an allergic reaction.

13. Lifespan/Reproduction Manatees have no natural enemies. If protected from human harm, manatees can live up to 60 years old. Manatees have no natural enemies. If protected from human harm, manatees can live up to 60 years old. Females (cows) mature around 5 to 9 years of age. A calf is born about every 2 to 5 years with twins being rare. Females (cows) mature around 5 to 9 years of age. A calf is born about every 2 to 5 years with twins being rare. Complete gestation is about 13 months. Complete gestation is about 13 months.

14. Protection The following legislative acts protect manatees: The following legislative acts protect manatees: –Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 –Endangered Species Act of 1973 –Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 Manatees are protected in the United States. A conservation plan was coordinated by the Fish & Wildlife Service which has the task of recovering manatees from their endangered status. Conviction of breaking Florida code is a fine of the maximum of $500 and a prison sentence of up to 60 days. Conviction of breaking the federal code is a fine of the maximum of $100,000 and a prison sentence of up to one year.

16. Sing About the Manatee by J.P. Taylor Won't you sing a song with me Sing about the manatee Won't you sing along with me About the manatee A manatee's a great big animal A manatee's a great big mammal Manatees spend their lives in the rivers and the sea Ly-lo, ly-lo, ly-lo, ly They find their food under the water The green and grassy plants They float around just under the water Doing the manatee dance (chorus) They float around under the water The way they like to be Sometimes their nose sticks up so they can breathe The air like you and me (chorus) With two small flippers and one big tail They don't move very fast So we've got to be careful when we're in a boat Or the manatees just won't last (chorus) http://www.songsforteaching.com/jptaylor/manatee.htm

17. Manatee Awareness Month November is Manatee Awareness Month. This is also the beginning of the viewing season for manatees in central Florida. Due to water pollution, waterway congestion, boating accidents and other factors, the Florida manatee population has dwindled to approximately 2,400. Save the Manatee Club

18. Webliograpghy http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5960/manatee.html http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5960/manatee.html http://www.geocities.com/Heartland/5960/manatee.html http://www.savethemanatee.org/ http://www.savethemanatee.org/ http://www.savethemanatee.org/ http://www.orlando-tours.com/tours/tourDetail.cfm/tid/360 http://www.orlando-tours.com/tours/tourDetail.cfm/tid/360 http://www.orlando-tours.com/tours/tourDetail.cfm/tid/360 http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/Manatee/home.html http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/Manatee/home.html http://www.seaworld.org/infobooks/Manatee/home.html http://www.manateeworld.net/ http://www.manateeworld.net/ http://www.manateeworld.net/ http://manateebrain.org/ http://manateebrain.org/ http://manateebrain.org/ http://www.homesafe.com/manatee/index.html http://www.homesafe.com/manatee/index.html http://www.homesafe.com/manatee/index.html http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/search?SearchableText=manatee http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/search?SearchableText=manatee http://animaldiversity.ummz.umich.edu/site/search?SearchableText=manatee http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/manatees.html http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/manatees.html http://www.defenders.org/wildlife/new/manatees.html http://www.manateecam.com/ http://www.manateecam.com/ http://www.manateecam.com/ http://www.scubabyte.com/manatees.htm http://www.scubabyte.com/manatees.htm http://www.scubabyte.com/manatees.htm http://kidtravels.com/novembermanatee.htm http://kidtravels.com/novembermanatee.htm http://kidtravels.com/novembermanatee.htm http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/14703;jsessionid=baa b9qHUz1pJFu?fulltext=true http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/14703;jsessionid=baa b9qHUz1pJFu?fulltext=true http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/14703;jsessionid=baa b9qHUz1pJFu?fulltext=true http://www.americanscientist.org/template/AssetDetail/assetid/14703;jsessionid=baa b9qHUz1pJFu?fulltext=true http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/animalphysiology/websites/2004/Rain bow/ http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/animalphysiology/websites/2004/Rain bow/ http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/animalphysiology/websites/2004/Rain bow/ http://www.bio.davidson.edu/people/midorcas/animalphysiology/websites/2004/Rain bow/ http://www.bluemanateebooks.com/bm_facts.html http://www.bluemanateebooks.com/bm_facts.html http://www.bluemanateebooks.com/bm_facts.html