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Manatees
Manatees are aquatic mammals found in the coastal regions of North America. They are an endangered species whose habitat has been encroached upon by the recreational water activities of coastal dwellers.
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Manatees are marine mammals. The most well known type in the States is the Florida manatee. Florida manatees are endangered for a variety of natural and human causes. Manatees are very sensitive to cold water temperatures, and will perish if they remain in waters below about 68 degrees for too long. This is because they do not have a thick layer of blubber like dolphins or whales. In addition, red tide is a natural algal bloom that produces toxins which effect the central nervous system; these are fatal to many marine organisms, including the manatee. Human activities also result in manatee deaths. It is not uncommon for manatees to be struck by boats, and either the propeller or the hull can cause fatal injuries. In addition, crab traps and fishing line can ensnare the curious manatees, making it impossible for them to ascend to the surface for air. Though they have large lungs, manatees can only hold their breath for about twenty minutes, and if they are exerting a lot of energy, that time decreases substantially. Occasionally, manatees are trapped in canal locks and flood gates. Luckily for the manatee, they have no natural predators. Their large size seems to deter animals like alligators and sharks. Also, manatee populations are slow to recover after a blow to their numbers. The gestation period for manatees is about 13 months, and it is rare for manatee mothers to give birth to more than one calf at a time. Once the calf is born, it remains with its mother for about two years, making each calf about a three year investment.
Additional Information: There is also the, Amazonian Manatee, the West Indian Manatee, and the Dugong all with a status of "endangered", as well as the West African Manatee, listed with a status of "threatened" according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, List of Endangered Species. All of the Manatee species listed above are listed by the International Union for Conservation of Nature, or the IUCN Red List as well. While they are all listed, the status is different for three of the species from one list to the other. The Red List has them all listed with a status of "vulnerable", and the South American Manatee and the West Indian Manatee each has a population trend posted as "decreasing", while the Dugong, and the Amazonian Manatee each has a population trend posted as "unknown". For more details, please see sites listed below.
What kind of teeth does a manatee have?
All its teeth are like our molar teeth (the big blunt teeth at the back of our mouths) used for chewing on thick aquatic vegetation.
What is the height width and base of a manatee?
Height 13 feet (as big as it can grow) and the width 5-6 feet.
Doe's anybody know of a brilliant band called manatee found on apeMusicTV but nowhere else?
Manatee is a band formed out of Austin, Texas. They released the album, "Music is useless", in 2003. Their album could be found online. Website such as Amazon or Ebay could very well sell the album. I personally own a copy, and if all else fails, you can take the drive to Austin, as the album may still be found at any local record store.
How many manatees are left in Florida?
Florida has the largest population of manatees, having over 3,000 individuals.
See related link..
Do manatees live in fresh water and salt water?
They are typically in tropical warm salt waters.
They are typically in tropical warm salt waters.
They are typically in tropical warm salt waters.
They are typically in tropical warm salt waters.
They are typically in tropical warm salt waters.
They are typically in tropical warm salt waters.
What are the disadvantages of being a woman?
In the modern age, there is no disadvantage to being of either sex.
How do manatee protect themselves?
Manatees are a gentle giant and most the time they don't need to protect themselves Manatees have no natural predators only humans they can't stop a boat from hitting them so your answer is they don't protect themselves other than moving away from danger.
I am almost positively sure that unless you are in animal research or you own a zoo/aquarium that owning a manatee is illegal. :]
Do manatees eat clams and fish?
Manatees are mainly herbivores, but have been known to eat small fish.
Why do many boaters go blithely on their way after striking a manatee?
Because they don't see the manatee, they are unaware of the trouble they have caused.
