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Home , Manatee

The (Trichechus manatus latirostris)

Photo by: Patrick M. Rose

he Florida manatee lives in brackish, salt and freshwater coastal areas eating () that must come to the surface to breath air every aroundT Florida. The adult manatee weighs around 1,000 pounds and is about 10 three to five minutes. Like all , it has hair on its body, nurses its young feet long. At birth, calves weigh about 60-80 pounds. The manatee is a plant- and is warm-blooded. can live to be about 50 to 60 old. Manatee Anatomy Facts

Although they feed in water, manatees exclude The manatee swims with up and down (dorso- most of the water when they swallow, which Mammary Gland ventral) motions of its body and fluke. This is makes the contents of their stomach relatively Elbow similar to the swimming motions of the cetaceans Ear location dry. Like terrestrial (plant eaters), Fluke ( and whales) but is unlike the side to Opening manatees have large salivary glands (for Eye side swimming motions of fish and seals. lubrication and initial digestion of food). The muscles of the manatee have little of the Naris Like the , manatees are hind-gut digesters myoglobin (muscle hemoglobin) that is typical of (nostril) as opposed to fore-gut digesters (like the cow). the muscles of other diving mammals—this This means that more of the digestive processes means manatees cannot store as much oxygen occur further along the intestinal tract. It takes as seals and dolphins, which is reflected in their about seven days for material to pass through the Vibrissae Anus relatively short (8-15 minute) and shallow (10-20 manatee’s digestive system. () Female Urogenital (U/G) Opening feet) dives. (Fore limb) Axilla Umbilicus A manatee’s teeth are similar to the molars of (‘arm’ pit) Male U/G Opening Their ribs and other long bones lack marrow Nails (belly button) some other mammals and are located in the back cavities, which produces a dense and relatively half of the lower and upper jaws. Manatee teeth heavy skeleton. Marrow, which produces red are unique in that they are replaced horizontally, blood cells, is mostly restricted to the centra Cardiac Lung Kidney as opposed to vertically as in most other Esophagus (bodies) of the vertebrae and possibly the sternum. Gland Ovary mammals. replacement is continuous (throat) () throughout their lives, as opposed Brain Manatees do not have hind limbs. Their pelvic to that of other mammals which replace a single bones are vestiges of the more complex set of teeth once in a lifetime (diphyodont). structures of their ancestors. The pelvic vestiges Naris are attachment sites for muscles. The manatees blood is very important in Mouth transporting heat and regulating body Manatees live in both fresh and salt water. Their Tongue kidneys filter blood to control levels of salt and to temperature. Heart Anus Trachea maintain water balance. The urinary bladder Liver Manatee lungs are unique—unlike other mammal (wind-pipe) Cecum Intestines Female U/G Opening stores urine until it is advantageous to dump it into lungs that are positioned around the heart and (cut away) the environment. Stomach Urinary Bladder extend backwards over the stomach and liver, manatee lungs are flattened and elongated. The The manatees’ mammary glands (milk glands) lungs extend horizontally along the back almost Scapula 16-19 Thoracic Vertebrae and teats (one per side) are located behind the to the anus. The branching pattern of the bronchi (shoulder blade) 1-3 Lumbar Vertebrae fore limbs. The milk glands have no storage sacs (the primary air tubes) and blood vessels is 6 23-27 Caudal Vertebrae (like cattle and goats) so manatee calves suckle simpler in manatees than in other mammalian lungs. Teeth frequently at short intervals.

The ribs of the manatee arch up to allow the Orbit (eye socket) Manatees have relatively small brains when lungs to be positioned much higher along the Mouth compared to other mammals of their size. Their than is found in most other brains are very smooth, having few of the surface mammals. The elongated lung distributes the Mandible ‘folds’ that are associated with higher intelligence buoyant forces along more of the body than (lower jaw) in other mammals. would be possible in a more typically shaped lung Humerus Sternum 9-13 Chevrons (thus helping the manatee to float horizontally). Pelvic (breast-bone) Olecranon Vestige Bones For more manatee information, This orientation also minimizes the pressure (elbow) Ribs please visit our web site: differences between different parts of the lung. Radius Ulna www.MyFWC.com

The printing of this mini-poster was made possible through funding by Feeding, touching and chasing wildlife are forms of harassment that may Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission the Save the Manatee license plate and from Mr. Bill Crumpacker, who donated funds to make sure the posters were available for students and put the in danger. Please keep your distance from all wildlife. Division of Habitat and Conservation families. Manatee facts and graphics were supplied by Sentiel To report an injured or dead manatee, 620 South Meridian Street, 6-A Rommel of the FWC Pathology Lab. The mini-poster or someone harassing a manatee, Tallahassee, Florida 32399-1600 design was created by Bonnie J. Abellera of the FWC Imperiled Species Management section. please call 1-888-404-FWCC (3922) (850) 922-4330 RV: 05/05