MANATEE MANNERS

Manatees, with their slow and curious nature coupled with dense coastal development, have been hit by propeller-driven boats leading to disfigurement or even death. Before manatees were a protected species the number of manatees was very low. In 1973 Brazil made it illegal to hunt manatees. This was a huge step toward their protection. In 2016 though, the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (FWS) proposed the change of their status from "Endangered" to "Threatened".

Right now there are three species of manatees. In 1763 though, there were four. In 1768 the last Steller’s Sea Cow died. The other species, the African Manatee, the American Manatee, and the Amazonian Manatee, have survived.

Manatees never leave the water but like all water mammals, they must surface for air. A sleeping manatee can stay under water without surfacing for 15 minutes but while active it must surface every 3 to 4 minutes.

Manatee babies are born under the surface of the water so their mother has to bring them to the surface. Babies are able to swim an hour after their birth though. Manatee babies drink their mother's milk but adult manatees have to eat a tenth of their massive bodyweight in 24 hours.