Manatee

Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. They belong to the family Trichechidae and the genus Trichechus.

Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows.

In a nutshell

1. Habitat: Manatees inhabit shallow, calm waters such as rivers, estuaries, bays, canals, and coastal areas. They are primarily found in regions with warm water temperatures, including Florida, the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and parts of West Africa.
2. Physical Characteristics: Adult manatees typically measure approximately 3m (9-10 ft) in length from snout to tail and can weigh around 454 kg (1,000 lb). They have large, paddle-like flippers and a rounded body, which tapers into a flat, horizontal tail.
3. Diet: Manatees are herbivores with voracious appetites, spending up to 8 hours a day grazing on aquatic vegetation. They consume over 60 different freshwater and saltwater plants, including seagrasses and algae.
4. Adaptations: Manatees have several adaptations that help them thrive in their aquatic environment. They can travel from freshwater to saltwater habitats without any problems. Additionally, their large, flexible lips and prehensile upper lip are used for grasping and manipulating food.
5. Conservation Status: Manatees face various threats, including habitat loss, pollution, and collisions with boats. As a result, they are classified as vulnerable or endangered species, depending on the region.
6. Behaviour: Manatees are generally solitary animals, although they may form temporary aggregations in areas with abundant food or warm water. They spend approximately 50% of the day sleeping submerged, surfacing for air regularly at intervals of less than 20 minutes.

Human Impact on the Manatee

The human impact on manatees encompasses various threats ranging from habitat degradation to direct physical harm.

1. Habitat Loss and Degradation: Human activities such as coastal development, pollution, and boat traffic significantly contribute to the loss and degradation of manatee habitats. According to research from NOAA, there are two major threats to manatees: habitat loss and boat strikes. Coastal development leads to the destruction of seagrass beds, which are crucial for the manatee's diet and shelter, thereby reducing available habitat and food sources.
2. Boat Strikes: Manatees are highly susceptible to collisions with watercraft, resulting in injuries and fatalities. The Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission highlights the impact of boat strikes, stating that scars and mutilations caused by these incidents make manatees more vulnerable to future entanglements, further exacerbating their plight.
3. Climate Change: Human-induced climate change poses a significant threat to manatees. Rising sea levels, altered water temperatures, and extreme weather events can disrupt their habitats and food sources. Earth.org emphasises the importance of addressing human-induced climate change to mitigate its adverse effects on Florida manatees.
4. Pollution: Pollution from various sources, including agricultural runoff, industrial discharge, and littering, contaminates waterways and negatively impacts manatees. This pollution can lead to habitat degradation, ingestion of harmful substances, and compromised immune systems, further endangering their survival.
5. Entanglement: Manatees may become entangled in marine debris such as fishing lines, ropes, and nets, leading to injuries, impaired mobility, and even death. Discover Crystal River identifies entanglement as one of the top two dangers to manatees, highlighting the need for efforts to reduce marine debris and mitigate entanglement risks.

See also

• Manatee Portal
• Manatee (videos)
• Manatee (news)
• Manatee (reports)
• Manatee (research)