The Florida Manatee, aka Sea Cow, or West Indian Manatee, is found in 7 to 10 feet of water in the Gulf of Mexico and the Atlantic Ocean during spring, summer, and fall (National Geographic, 2016). Later, in the winter you can find them near power plants, and in natural spring water that sustains temperatures above 68 degrees Fahrenheit because manatees cannot live in water below this temperature. This fascinating herbivore can live in salt water and fresh water. The endangered Florida Manatee has a unique body with extraordinary lung capacity, an attractive life cycle, and a fascinating but tragic history.
Background and Description
The Trichechus manatus is on the endangered species list, but because the public has been educated and practices are in place to help these herbivores, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife submitted a proposal in January, 2016 to have the Florida Manatee removed from the endangered list (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2016). This gentle giant can grow to be 10-13 feet in length and 800-1200 pounds. It has a streamlined body with no external neck, large around the middle and narrows to a paddle shaped tail with a skeleton built to help move in the water. The manatee’s lungs have an enormous capacity for air exchange. The manatees have a 90% air exchange where humans only have a 10% air exchange. They have two Hemi – diaphragms (learner.org, 2016). The sea cow holds their breath under water for up to 20 minutes at a time. At the flippers, there are …show more content…
The males sexually mature at approximately 9-10 years of age and the females at 2 ½ to 6 years of age (Encyclopedia, 2016). During breeding a female will mate with several males and give birth one-year later. A live birth of one calf is born under water and can weigh about 60-70 pounds and be 4 feet long (Manatee Reproduction, 2012). The calves nurse from their mother’s flipper and stays with mom for roughly 1
Background and Description
The Trichechus manatus is on the endangered species list, but because the public has been educated and practices are in place to help these herbivores, the U.S. Fish & Wildlife submitted a proposal in January, 2016 to have the Florida Manatee removed from the endangered list (U.S. Fish & Wildlife, 2016). This gentle giant can grow to be 10-13 feet in length and 800-1200 pounds. It has a streamlined body with no external neck, large around the middle and narrows to a paddle shaped tail with a skeleton built to help move in the water. The manatee’s lungs have an enormous capacity for air exchange. The manatees have a 90% air exchange where humans only have a 10% air exchange. They have two Hemi – diaphragms (learner.org, 2016). The sea cow holds their breath under water for up to 20 minutes at a time. At the flippers, there are …show more content…
The males sexually mature at approximately 9-10 years of age and the females at 2 ½ to 6 years of age (Encyclopedia, 2016). During breeding a female will mate with several males and give birth one-year later. A live birth of one calf is born under water and can weigh about 60-70 pounds and be 4 feet long (Manatee Reproduction, 2012). The calves nurse from their mother’s flipper and stays with mom for roughly 1