Often observed either snoozing or grazing, manatees—these amiable giants of the sea—are a source of joy. They are large, herbivorous maritime mammals, however, they are at risk due to issues such as habitat loss and deadly encounters with boats. It’s estimated that only around 7,634 to 10,434 West Indian manatees are left. The Amazonian manatee population numbers are nebulous, but thought to be similarly distressing. It’s lamentable that these magnificent creatures are at the brink of extinction. The purpose of this list is to broadcast valuable information about these fantastic animals and highlight 25 intriguing facts about manatees.
Images: Shutterstock unless otherwise noted.
Though manatees average about three meters (9.8 feet) long and weigh between 362-544 kilograms (800 – 1,200 pounds), some manatees have been known to reach lengths of about four meters (13 feet) and weigh over 1,587 kilograms (3,500 pounds).
Manatees do not have blowholes. They breathe through nostrils similar to seals.
Researchers use scars from watercraft collisions in order to identify manatees.
In order to tell a female from a male manatee, look at the underside of a manatee. The genital opening of the male is just below the belly button, and the female’s genital opening is just above the anus.
In what may seem somewhat counter-intuitive, power plant effluents play a critical role in manatee protection. Manatees use the plant effluents as winter warm water refugia which protect manatees during cold spells.
Manatees cannot turn their heads sideways. In order to look around, it has to turn its whole body.
A manatee’s age can be determined by the annual growth rings in its ear bones.
Manatees do not have eyelashes, and their eye muscles close in a circular motion.
It’s believed that the word manatee comes from the Carib word “manati,” meaning woman’s breast.
Manatees are sometimes called “sea cows.” It’s believed this name comes from the fact that manatees are herbivores like cows.
Manatees have fingernails with three to four nails on each flipper? Only West African and West Indian manatees (including the Florida manatee) have fingernails though.
If you think this is fascinating, wait until you see number 4.