West Indian Manatee
(Trichechus Manatus)
By James Call
Illustrated by Lizabeth West
The
West Indian manatee is a unique creature, it looks like no other animal in
the world. It has been described as a seal with the whiskered face of a
walrus, the tail of a beaver and the gray hide of an elephant. The manatee’s
closest relatives are the elephant and the hyrax (a small furry animal
that resembles a rodent). The average adult is about 10-12 feet long and
weighs more than 1,500 pounds.
Manatees are found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater
bays, canals and coastal areas. Within the United States, West Indian
manatees are concentrated in Florida in the winter, but in summer months
travel as far west as Alabama and as far north as Virginia. Manatees are
slow-moving animals. It is estimated they can travel up to 20 mph in short
bursts, but usually swim between 3-5 mph.
A manatee will spend seven hours a day eating about 150 pounds of
plants. Sleeping manatees will surface to breathe fresh air and then sink
without waking up. At times, manatees hold their breath for as long as 20
minutes but when exerting a lot of energy will surface for air every 30
seconds. They breathe through nostrils that have fleshy “valves” that
close when they are
underwater.
Manatees have what are called “marching molars.” Their teeth are
constantly replaced. They form at the back of the jaw, wear down as they
move forward, and eventually fall out! Manatees brains have a higher gray
matter to white matter ratio than any other mammal, including humans.
Since gray matter is the area of the brain where thinking occurs, it could
be that manatees are
smarter than us.
Manatees nurse their young. Twins are rare. A calf will stay with its
mother for two years, learning how to survive. Manatees have been known to
live more than 60 years.
This article appeared in the November-December 2000 issue of Florida
Wildlife magazine.