Student Article
Manatees: Gentle Sea Cows of Rivers and Oceans
Eelgrass (noun): A long, green plant that grows underwater in the ocean or in bays.
Pollution (noun): Harmful things in the environment that can make animals or people sick.
Let’s learn about manatees, the gentle giants of the sea!
Meet the mellow manatee
Manatees are large, slow-moving animals that live in warm water. People often call them “sea cows” because they like to munch on grass in the water, just like cows do on land!
Three species, one gentle giant
There are three kinds of manatees: the West Indian, the African, and the Amazonian manatee. The Florida manatee is a type of West Indian manatee and lives in rivers and springs in Florida. The Amazonian manatee lives in fresh water, like rivers.
How big are manatees?
Manatees are big! They can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh as much as 1,000 pounds. The Amazon manatee is a bit smaller, growing up to 8 feet long.
Manatees are hungry helpers
Manatees eat plants like eelgrass. They eat a lot, which helps keep their homes clean and healthy.
A slow swim into motherhood
When it’s time to have babies, a mother manatee may be followed by a group of male manatees. She usually has one baby and takes care of it for at least a year.
Trouble in their waters
Sadly, manatees are in danger. They can get hurt by boats, lose their homes, or get sick from pollution. But in Florida, people are helping by planting grass and keeping the water clean. Some places even set speed limits for boats to keep manatees safe.
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Eelgrass (noun): A long, green plant that grows underwater in the ocean or in bays.
Pollution (noun): Harmful things in the environment that can make animals or people sick.