Name: Florida Manatee

Size: Can grow as large as 13 feet and weigh more than 3,000 pounds. On average, the manatee is 9 feet long and weighs 1,000 pounds. Females are usually larger than males.

Color: Grayish-brown

Description: Large, seal-like body that tapers to a paddle-shaped tail. Two forelimbs used for steering with three or four nails on each. Thick, wrinkled skin with stiff whiskers on upper lip.

Teeth: 24 to 32 molars located in the back of the mouth. As the teeth wear down, new molars grow in the back of the mouth and move forward.

Diet: Herbivore, feeding on over 60 species of plants. Manatees avoid specific plants that contain natural toxins. They consume about 4% to 9% of their body weight in wet vegetation daily.

Reproduction: Normally one calf every 2 to 5 years. Manatee gestation is about one year.

Two diving manatees.	Relaxed!
How about a gentle kiss from a manatee?
Underwater paradise?

    Special Manatee Links

You can go to the Sea World Pages to learn about Manatees in their habitat. You can sponsor a Manatee or give donations to Save the Manatees at the Save the Manatee site. 

There are several Educational sites that focus on Manatees like the Whale Club Site or the Discovery Site.