The manatee or sea cow is a large sea mammal that belongs to
the order Sirenia and the family Trichechidae. They reach 13 feet in length and
have a pleasant disposition. The manatee's closest living relative is the
elephant. They swim the waters off the coast of West Africa
and South America.
Manatees can be as large as 12 feet but the average is nine
feet. A newborn manatee weighs over 60 pounds. A full grown manatee weighs an
average of 1200 pounds. A manatee can live for up to 60 years. They spend their
time sleeping and grazing for food. They must surface every 20 minutes for air.
They have rounded paddle style flippers for swimming.
Most manatees eat 10 percent of their entire body weight on
a daily basis just consuming plants. They prefer to stay in warm waters and
many migrate to find such habitats. Many manatees have enjoyed the warmed
waters near coastal power plants.