Manatees

Manatees are herbivores and eat over 60 different freshwater and saltwater plants.

The main causes of death for manatees are human-related issues, such as habitat destruction and human objects.

Their slow-moving, curious nature has led to violent collisions with propeller-driven boats and ships. Some manatees have been found with over 50 scars on them from propeller blades. Natural causes of death include adverse temperatures, predation by crocodiles on young, and disease.

Apart from mothers with their young, or males following a receptive female, manatees are generally solitary animals.

Manatees spend approximately 50% of the day sleeping submerged, surfacing for air regularly at intervals of less than 20 minutes.

The remainder of the time is mostly spent grazing in shallow waters at depths of 1–2 m (3 ft 3 in–6 ft 7 in). The Florida subspecies (T. m. latirostris) has been known to live up to 60 years.

Endangered Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus)

Manatees