Manatees (/ ˈmænətiːz /, family trichechidae, genus trichechus) are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows There are three accepted living species of trichechidae, representing three of the four living species in the order sirenia The amazonian manatee (trichechus inunguis), the west indian manatee (trichechus manatus), and the west african. Manatee, any of three species of large slow aquatic mammals found along tropical and subtropical atlantic coasts and associated inland waters, including the watersheds of the amazon and niger rivers. Discover facts about manatees, including their habitat, conservation efforts, and legal protections in place to safeguard these gentle aquatic mammals. Although they are generally solitary animals, manatees are very curious and are known to approach small and large boats.
Sometimes referred to as sea cows, manatees can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh up to 1,200 pounds Manatees move slowly through inland and coastal waterways at a rate of about five miles per hour. Manatees are aquatic mammals with voracious appetites—spending up to 8 hours a day grazing Manatees are sometimes called sea cows, and their languid pace lends merit to the comparison. Manatees are also known as sea cows and are closely related to dugongs They can be found in the interior waterways or tropical and subtropical atlantic coastlines
