1. Species of the Week The Manatee

2. Where do they live? Warm water of shallow rivers, bays, estuaries & coastal waters Florida’s coastal waters during winter months As far north as Carolinas & as far west as Louisiana during summer months Spotty distribution along Central America & northern South America

3. What is their niche? They are a migratory species Manatees spend their time eating, resting, and in travel Graze for food along bottom & at the surface Consume 10-15% of their body weight daily Rest submerged at bottom or jut below surface They are herbivores that eat marine & fresh water plants They are gentle and slow moving They have no natural enemies They do not have rivals for food and territory

4. What are their adaptations? Flexible front limbs – steer as they swim Large, paddle tail – push through water Breathing method – lets more fresh oxygen into lungs Nostrils – close tightly when they dive “Marching molars” – teeth move forward as the front teeth wear down Large split upper lip – sides move at separate times to get food into mouth without hands Ridged pads behind lips – break down food before the molars grind it

5. What is threatening the Manatee’s survival?  Most mortalities are human related:  Collisions with watercraft  Canal locks and flood control structures  Ingestion of fish hooks & litter  Entanglement in crab trap lines  Habitat loss ****Only about 3,000 left today!!!

6. Distribution Of Manatees & Their Relatives This map shows the ranges of the 5 living species of manatees and dugongs. Florida Manatee: Southeast coast of United States Antillean Manatee: Caribbean and coast of Central America West African Manatee: Coast of Western Africa Amazonian Manatee: Amazon Dugong: Indian Ocean - Coasts of Eastern Africa, India, Asia, and Northern Australia

7. What is being done to help? A treaty was passed to stop commercial trade Illegal to harass, hunt, capture, or kill Manatee Recovery Plan Save the Manatee Club Florida has fines of $1000 and prison time (up to 60 days); Federal conviction has fines of $50,000 and 1 year jail time

8. Manatee Pictures