Manatees

530 Words2 Pages
bulb-icon

Recommended: Manatee preservation introduction

In 1493, when Columbus sailed to the Americas for his second journey, he and his sailors were the first Europeans to spot the present-day manatees. Because of their amazingly humanlike appearance these ancient sailors went home telling stories of mermaids.
When the Spanish came over they hunted and ate these massive beasts. Since the early 1900's the manatee population has dwindled severely. Finally countries and smaller organizations began taking interest in saving the manatees. Laws and regulations were set so that manatees might be saved from extinction. This has been successful to a point, but still only very few manatees live and they must be nurtured in order to flourish.
Manatees are also known as sea cows because they graze on pastures of sea grass. They are air breathing creatures and most kinds can grow up to thirteen feet long during the average life span of sixty years. Manatees can weigh up to 3500 pounds. An average adult weighs between 1000 and 2000 pounds. They range from gray to brown in color and are primarily a plant-eating mammal. Sometimes they may eat small crabs, snails, or any other small animal that clings to the water grass. Manatees usually keep to themselves but when migration season arrives, they migrate in groups to warmer waters full of rich vegetation. During mating season they will also travel in groups.
Mating season is not held at any particular time of the year. However when the females are ready to breed (about seven years old) they will rub certain parts of their bodies up against rocks or other things in the water where a matured male (three to four years old) will follow her. The female will then wait for her suitor or suitors to arrive. If there are more than one she will run from the group until she is ready to mate.
There are four different types of manatees. The most common type of manatee is the West Indian Manatee. They swim freely in fresh or salt water and use their tail to propel themselves and their flippers to steer. At the end of each flipper are three or four nails.
Another type of manatee, the West African Manatee, has a similar appearance. There is not much known about this species of manatees but their population seems to be declining.
The Amazonian Manatee is found in the Amazon River and swims only in fresh water.

Show More
Related

  • Introduction to the Dissection of the Mink

    1166 Words  | 3 Pages

    On their third stage of development minks are ready to breed when they are about 10 weeks old, this happens January all the way to April. Males and females will mate with different minks. Generally female minks are in heat for a period of 3 weeks. After they have mated...

    Read More

  • Identity And Identity In Two Kinds By Amy Tan

    796 Words  | 2 Pages

    At the beginning of the story “Two Kinds,” the author displays the misconception the daughter has between herself and becoming the life of her mother. The daughter obeys her mother by doing the tasks given to her, such as, playing the piano, studying academic work, and even becoming an actress. The mother wanted her to become a prodigy, something she was not. The mother was able to control her daughter’s life until she rebelled against her. The daughter began to realize the value of living her own life, rather her mom living it for her. The daughter would not allow her mother or anyone else change her no matter their perceptions of her. She grasped at the her identity and individuality that was flashing before her eyes and came to an understanding that being forced to become someone else can only teach you a lesson on becoming

    Read More

  • Florida Manatee and Sea Turtle Efforts

    1410 Words  | 3 Pages

    Being around for 45 million years is not enough for the Florida Manatee to continue to survive. The Florida Manatee is in danger of extinction. Surveying obstacles have prevented getting an exact population count; until the end of 2009 the best estimate was somewhere between 1,000 and 3,500 manatees left in the wild. This number was considered fairly accurate until January 2010 when a 2-week cold snap in Florida pushed the preliminary Florida Wildlife Service ae...

    Read More

  • Stevie Wonder Research Paper

    621 Words  | 2 Pages

    Steveland Judkins Morris was born on May 13, 1950, in Saginaw, Michigan. He is more popularly known as Stevie Wonder. Stevie was blinded shortly after birth. His blindness was caused by a medical accident when he was born. He had to be put in an incubator and he didn’t get enough air. In 1954 his family moved to Detroit and he developed his musical talent early in his life.By the age of 11 years old, he could play the harmonica and piano and he was a talented singer. ¨Stevie was introduced to Motown's Berry Gordy, who recognized Stevie’s talents ¨(Encyclopedia.com). He was signed to Motown in 1962 and he was given the stage name “Little Stevie Wonder”. He later grew out of this nickname and dropped the “little”. Stevie had success with his single, 'Fingertips, Part 2', in 1963 (Allmusic.com). By the time he was 18,

    Read More

  • Essay On Florida Manatee

    861 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Florida Manatee’s popular marine species in the tropical environment of Florida are currently considered an “endangered species”. The ecology (the relationships between living organisms and their interactions with their natural or developed environment), for the manatee (trichechus manatus), requires and is generally restricted to the inland and coastal waters of peninsular Florida during the winter, when they shelter in and/or near warm-water springs, heated industrial effluents, and other warm water sites (as stated in Research Gate (1997) Hartman 1979, Lefebvre et al). The Florida (West Indian) Manatee, An Endangered Species, has no known predators other than humans; in the past, humans hunted

    Read More

  • The Themes Of Breaking Tradition In Whale Rider

    1078 Words  | 3 Pages

    The breaking of tradition usually results in a family falling apart, but sometimes families become closer. The film, Whale Rider, opens with a woman giving birth to twins. Sadly the mother and one twins die during childbirth. The grandfather, Koro, wanted a male gandson to become the next chief of the village. Tradition states that the first born son becomes the next chief but Koro’s first son does not want to become chief, the the next best thing is his grandson. However, the twin that died was male and the female twin survived. The female twin, Paikea, when she gets older, fights the tradition of a male chief, and eventually becomes chief. This idea of breaking tradition almost tears her family apart. Koro is a firm believer in traditional

    Read More

  • Hawkbill Sea Turtle Research Paper

    1110 Words  | 3 Pages

    This particular sea turtle has many unique physical characteristics that set it apart from other sea turtles. These turtles are rather small when compared to others. The average measurements for weight and length are 80 kg and 87 cm (Edelman). “The carapace (top shell) has a tortoiseshell coloring, ranging from dark to golden brown, with streaks of orange, red, and/or black…. [and] the plastron (bottom shell) is clear yellow (Hawksbill Sea Turtle).” Although male and females both look similar, males tend to be more colorful, have a concave plastron, long claws, and a thicker tail and females have a carapace that curves outward. Other features besides color are, two claws on each front limb, two pairs of prefrontal scales on the head, and a toothless mouth with strong jaws that are capable of crushing and biting its food (Edelman) (Hawksbill Sea Turtle, National Wildlife).

    Read More

  • Why Are Marine Otters Endangered

    460 Words  | 1 Pages

    Marine Otters live out near the coast. They spend most of their time laying on their backs in the water eating fish and other shellfish. They have thick fur coats that keep them warm in the cold pacific waters.

    Read More

  • The Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle

    681 Words  | 2 Pages

    The Kemp Ridley Sea Turtle has an average lifespan of 50 years, weighs 100 pounds and is 2 ft. in size (National Geographic). It usually resides in the coastal waters and bays of the Atlantic Ocean and the Gulf of Mexico. A prevalent threat to survival it happenstances is over-harvesting of

    Read More

  • Stevie Wonder Research Paper

    1063 Words  | 3 Pages

    Steveland Judkins/Morris, better known to us as Stevie Wonder was born on May 13, 1950(biography.com). His parents were Lula Mae Hardaway and Calvin Judkinsn who gave birth and raised him in the inner part of Detroit(WIlliams). Stevie was the only child. When born, he encountered an eye disorder which increased severely causing him to go blind(biography.com). Despite the difficulties of being

    Read More

  • Characteristics Of Sea Turtles

    802 Words  | 2 Pages

    Sea turtles are a very well known marine species. But not many people really know the true stories behind sea turtles. They are considered a very endangered species in the marine ecosystem therefore the aim of this study is to inform people a more in depth view of sea turtles, including the characteristics of sea turtles. Such as, the different types of sea turtles, their habitats, and their reproductive system. Also a few real life cases that involves stories about sea turtles that are harmed. The results of this study implied that human actions could effect the sea turtles population, as well as other aquatic animals.

    Read More

  • The Importance Of Dress Codes

    1656 Words  | 4 Pages

    Being exposed to a variety of new things and different people can cause one to forget their true identity, who they actually are, and who their parents raised them to be. They begin to express these identities in many different ways; one particular way in which they express themselves is through what they wear. Values and originality goes out the window, because being accepted is the only thing they really care about. Clothes also play a major role in how one expresses themselves. Dress codes within the schools has always been a significant controversial topic. Both sides of the issue are argued, and different people usually will have different point of views on the subject of implementing the standardized

    Read More

  • Essay On Manatees

    480 Words  | 1 Pages

    Have you ever wanted to hug a manatee? Well, you can’t. In the state of Florida, it is illegal “molest, harass, or disturb a manatee” which includes hugging. Hugging a manatee can induce severe stress. Manatees have extreme sensitivities, and because of them, a hug can cause a syndrome which, in severe cases, leads to death. Because manatees were, up until recently, an endangered species, laws protecting them are strict.

    Read More

  • Homosexuals In America

    490 Words  | 1 Pages

    The history and outlook on the community of lesbians, gays, bisexuals, and transexuals in America is a long, twisting road. Everyone, now and before now, has had their own opinions about the community even before they joined together as a united front of people with different sexualities than the majority of others. Throughout history, they have overcome laws and teachings against them. The growth of the LGBT community has given confidence, acceptance, hope, safety, and freedom to a significant amount of Americans with varying sexualities.

    Read More

  • On Thin Ice: A History of Ice Skating

    1947 Words  | 4 Pages

    A hobby that defies the laws of gravity, that allows the participant to look as graceful as a swan, yet has the potential to bring about some of the worst pain imaginable should be entered into with a fighting spirit. Ice skating is a make it or break it sport. Only a sharp thin blade separates this person from direct contact with the ice. The edges are there to guide, the toe pick there for balance, and the hollow there for when a person feels brave enough to test their luck in the hopes of accomplishing a spin or a jump. Figure skating techniques, methods, and equipment have significantly evolved from its primitive conception into the poised sport that is widely known today.

    Read More

More about Manatees

Open Document