Interesting Facts about Manatees (Sea Cows)

Manatees are the sea mammals that belong to the family Trichechidae and genus Trichechus. There are three living species of manatees, each of which exhibits varied characteristics. Manatees are also known by the name 'sea cows'. As per scientific evidences, they are believed to have been evolved from the quadruped (four-legged) terrestrial, plant-eating mammals about 60 million years ago. The closest surviving relatives of manatees are those belonging to the order Proboscidea (e.g. elephants) and Hyracoidea (e.g. hyrax). The facts about Manatees reveal their anatomy, habitat and food habits.

Interesting Facts about Manatees (Sea Cows)

Manatees are either gray or grayish brown in color. They have a thick wrinkled skin, on which algal growth is commonly observed. The skin of the head and face are comparatively more wrinkled than the other body parts. Manatees have two small eyes and whiskers in the snout portion. The large, flexible upper lip is used like a short trunk for gathering and eating food, as well as for communicating among themselves. Manatees also communicate through sight, sound, smell and taste.

Though it is a fact that Manatees do not have external ears, their auditory system is sharp and they can hear sound of varied frequencies. The two forelimbs of the Manatees, also called flippers, help them to swim and glide through the water currents. At times, they use their flippers while crawling in shallow waters. Their enormous body tapers into a flat, paddle-shaped tail that also helps in propelling through water.

The average body length of Manatees may range from 2.8-3.0 m; whereas, the average weight is about 400-550 kg. The female Manatees are more larger and heavier than the males. Female Manatees attain sexual maturity at the age of five years, whereas males are active at the age of nine years. They breed only once in a year and give birth to a single calf. At birth, a baby Manatee weighs about 30 kg. The gestation period is about 12 months and the weaning period may range from 12-18 months.

Speaking about the habitat of Manatees, they prefer shallow waters either in the seas or rivers. They remain solitary, except those of the mother and the calf. Manatees spent most time of the day sleeping under the water, they come on the water surface for breathing purpose, once in every 20 minutes. They are curious animals and swim slowly at a speed of about 3-5 miles per hour.

Regarding the food habits, Manatees are herbivores and feed on a wide variety of algae and plants. According to studies, it is found that Manatees can feed on as many as 60 plant species. In general, an adult Manatee consumes about 10 percent of its body weight daily, which accounts to about 50 kg. Occasionally, they feed on small fishes from the net. The predators of Manatees are rare and include humans, crocodiles, alligators and sharks.

As per statistics, the maximum population of Manatees is found in Florida (approximately 3000) and hence, mentioned as the state marine mammal of Florida. Various researches have been conducted on Florida Manatees (scientific name Trichechus manatus latirostrus). Manatees have also been mentioned in the folklores of many cultures. For example, the western Africans regarded Manatees to be sacred mammals, as they have a belief that Manatees evolved from humans. Hence, killing Manatees is banned according to their culture. Some indigenous people use the bones of Manatees for the treatment of ailments like asthma and earache.

As per the IUCN Red data list, all the three species of Manatees are declared as an endangered animal, which are vulnerable to extinction. A major threat to Manatees population is the declining habitat. Since Manatees are slow-swimmers, they are prone to injury by fast moving boats and/or propellers. Many a times, the injury causes infections that may prove fatal. This is another cause for the declining population of Manatees. Previously, manatees were hunted for their meat and valuable bones, as well as for making war shields, shoes and other boat equipments. Nowadays, hunting and poaching Manatees are banned under certain wildlife conservation acts.