| Manatee (Trichechus manatus) are large gentle, slow-moving aquatic mammals with bodies that taper to a flat, paddle-shaped tail. They have two forelimbs, called flippers, with three to four nails. Their head and face are wrinkled with whiskers on the snout. The manatee's closest land relatives are the elephant. Most of the time is spent eating vegetation (100-150 lbs. per day), resting, and traveling. On average manatees can travel about 40 to 50 miles a day, sometimes farther. Manatees are an endangered species. This female was photographed in Crystal River, FL. |
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