The West Indian Manatee, scientifically known as Trichechus manatus, is a large, herbivorous marine mammal found in the coastal waters of the Americas. It is a gentle and slow-moving creature, often referred to as a “sea cow” due to its herbivorous diet and placid nature. This species is an important part of the marine ecosystem and faces several threats, including habitat loss, water pollution, and boat collisions.
Description & Characteristics
The Trichechus manatus is a robust, fusiform-shaped mammal with a thick, gray-brown skin. Its body is adapted for an aquatic lifestyle, with paddle-like flippers, a flattened tail, and a streamlined body shape. The average adult Trichechus manatus can reach up to 10 feet in length and weigh up to 1,300 pounds. They have small, whiskered snouts, which they use to detect food and navigate their surroundings. They are known to have excellent underwater vision, but lack external ear flaps.
Habitat and Occurrence
The West Indian Manatee inhabits coastal waters, rivers, estuaries, and freshwater wetlands. It prefers warm waters with abundant vegetation and can be found in both marine and freshwater environments. The Trichechus manatus is primarily found in the Caribbean Sea and the southeastern United States, particularly in Florida, Georgia, and Alabama. It has also been sighted in areas of Central and South America. The Trichechus manatus is a coastal species that is rarely found in the open ocean. It prefers shallow, calm waters where it can easily find food and shelter. This species has a depth range that allows it to forage on plants from the seafloor to near the surface.
Taxonomy
The species Trichechus manatus belongs to the Class: Mammalia, Order: Sirenia, and Family: Trichechidae. The order Sirenia consists of large, herbivorous marine mammals, which includes manatees and dugongs. Trichechus manatus is one of three extant species of manatees, with the other two being the Amazonian Manatee (Trichechus inunguis) and the African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis).
Feeding
The Trichechus manatus is a herbivorous species that feeds primarily on aquatic plants. It consumes a wide variety of vegetation, including algae, aquatic plants, and seaweeds. They spend the majority of their time foraging, grazing on these plants, and are considered a food specialist. Trichechus manatus typically graze in shallow waters, where they can easily access their preferred food sources. They use their large snouts and prehensile upper lips to pull vegetation towards their mouths. They can ingest significant amounts of plant matter, consuming up to 10% of their body weight daily.
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