| Learn a Few Manatee Facts |
 Manatees
are very serious about oral care. They have been observed flossing
their peg-like teeth on boat ropes. They also fill their mouths
with gravel after eating, swish, and spit. It is speculated that
this is because four out of five ocean dentists prefer
pebbles over sand or shells.Manatees are strict vegetarians. They eat up to 200 pounds of plant matter per day, and have flat teeth in the backs of their mouths suited for this purpose. Water hyacinth is one of their favorite foods. Without their help, many river outlets and channels would become choked with vegetation. They are not fooled by tofu. If one sees bubbles in the water as they swim by, they may be letting out a breath. Or something else. Like all mammals, manatees are warm blooded, bear live young, and have small, soft hairs covering their bodies.  Like
other marine mammals (whales, dolphins), manatees
come to the surface to breathe, every 3-5 minutes while awake. While
sleeping, they slowly float up and down every 15 minutes.Manatees are gray/brown in color with brown eyes. They are, on average, 12 feet long, 1200 pounds. They may weigh up to 3500 pounds. Manatees (also called “Sea Cows”) belong to the order Sirenia, derived from the Greek sirens, whose lovely songs purportedly tempted Odysseus. This has nothing to do with fire trucks. There are five species of Manatee: The West Indian manatee (our Florida manatees are a subspecies), the West African manatee, the dugong, the Amazonian manatee, and the once-massive Steller’s Sea Cow. Steller’s, up to 35 feet long and over 31⁄2 tons (as big as a semi-truck), was hunted to extinction off of the Bering Sea for its meat and fur within 20 years of its “discovery” by sailors, caught up in a frenzied, eighteenth-century “fur rush.” Manatees once lived on land 50-60M years ago. They have fingernails, and are related to elephants. To date, no one has seen them painted.  Manatees
are very social. Touch is very important in their communication,
manifest through nuzzling (those whiskers!), patting,
and rubbing against one another. They also communicate via underwater
noises, such a squeaks, chirps, and whistles (although these are
a mystery).The current population of Florida manatee is controversial, but generally estimated at around 1800, up from a low of 1200. They are one of the most endangered US marine mammals. Manatees thrive in warmer waters. In the colder months, they migrate up rivers, including the Crystal River and Manatee Springs State Park in Florida. They are one of only a few marine animals that can adapt back and forth between fresh and salt water. Manatees give birth to 1 calf every 2-5 years. Gestation is 13 months. Calves weigh 80 pounds (imagine: Push!). Mother and calf stay together for 2 years, after mom nudges her bouncing baby to the surface for their first breath. Calves swim parallel to their mothers, just behind her dorsal flipper. Calves nurse underneath mother’s armpit, where her nipples are located. Manatees may live up to 50-60 years.  Manatees’
primary enemies are humans. They have
no natural predators, including sharks. They are frequently struck
by boat propellers while swimming near the surface, or bobbing up
and down while asleep for air. Researchers can often
identify manatees by unique scar patterns on their backs and tails. Other threats include pollution, coastal development with habitat
loss, and red tide. New laws have set slower speed limits and No
Wake Zones to reduce the odds of being struck, but some boaters,
with the cry “Boaters Rights!” ignore these laws, which
they feel interfere with their freedom.Manatees are protected under the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972, and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, and the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. These forbid people from touching or feeding them, to reduce the odds that they will become overly dependent or vulnerable to being harmed. Some people feel that these laws are too strict, and interfere with humans’ rights to develop any land they choose, drill for oil anywhere, and do as they please.  Like
many people, manatees are shy at first. Quite
often, curiosity and desire for play prevails, and they approach
people. They love to have their backs scratched. They are attracted
to fresh water from hoses, although this is not good for them, and
can be dangerous. They are quite playful, do barrel
rolls in the water, and play undersea games, like tag.Manatees have keen eyesight. Their ears are small holes located directly behind their eyes. Manatees are artful swimmers. They have paddle-shaped tails, like beavers, which propel them up to 15 miles per hour. Typically cruising speed is closer to 2-3 mph. Two dorsal flippers control direction. Now - to see if you were not asleep, your finger stuck on the mouse button as you snored away, take the quiz! |
