West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus)

The endangered West Indian, Caribbean, or Florida manatee population is estimated at just over 1,200 in the United States. Manatee adults range from 8 to 14 feet long and can weigh over 2,500 pounds. They love to eat aquatic plants such as water hyacinth and hydrilla which clog the waterways, and eat up to 10% of their body weight daily. Feeding and resting manatees can remain just under the water for as long as 12 minutes (average of 4 1/2 ). The plump manatee is an intelligent air-breathing mammal. They will squeak or squeal during play or when alarmed, and they display a shy curiosity.
Calves (1 sometimes 2) are born after 13 months gestation at any time during the year; remaining with their mother for 2-5 years. The calf will nurse at the 'armpit' area. Manatees reach breeding maturity between 3 and 10 years of age.
Manatees are injured or drown when entangled in ropes or discarded fish hooks and line trapped in the plants they eat. Unusually cold winters imperil the lives of manatees. Red tide toxins accumulate in sea squirts ingested by manatees while feeding on sea grasses. Destruction of grazing habitat by water pollution, dredging and filling of wetlands threaten manatees. Impact with boats and propellers, however, are responsible for most fatalities as manatees like to rest suspended just below the water's surface. Manatees are not able to keep up with those killed by boats because of late breeding maturity and low reproductive rates.
Laws to protect manatees have been in effect as long ago as 1893 and listed as an endangered species in 1967 . Boaters need to be aware of seacow habitat or presence, and slow to "no wake" speed on the waters to help save these gentle sirenians.