The Manatee is also known as the Sea Cow or Trichechus. They are very large marine mammals weighing between 440 and 1,300 pounds. The manatee is more closely related to elephants than to dolphins and whales. They are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. An adult manatee will eat all types of aquatic grasses, weeds and algae. Manatees range from 8 to 13 feet long. The average lifespan of a manatee is 40 years. Manatees are graceful swimmers in coastal waters and rivers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on “Why Violent Video Games Should Not Be Banned”? Get an original essay. They are generally slower swimmers, traveling at around 5 mph, but can also swim up to 15 mph for short periods due to their strong tail. . Most often, a manatee swims in pairs or alone, but sometimes swims in groups of up to six. Manatees never leave the water, but like all other marine mammals, they must breathe air from the water's surface. Usually, a manatee that is not moving or moving very slowly can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes without surfacing to breathe. However, if they are swimming, they will likely need to surface for air every 3 to 4 minutes or so. There are three species of manatee, all based on where they live. If you live in the United States, particularly on the East Coast near Florida, the manatee you might see there would be the West Indian manatee. The West Indian manatee generally ranges along the eastern coast of North America, from Florida to Brazil. The West Indian manatee can weigh up to 1,400 pounds. The Amazonian manatee species lives along the Amazon River. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the range of Amazonian manatees is estimated at approximately 2.7 million square miles. The African manatee lives along the west coast and in the rivers of Africa. Like other marine mammals, manatees are born underwater. After they are born, their mother must help their manatee come to the surface so that it can take its first breath. However, after that, manatee calves are usually able to swim on their own an hour later. Keep in mind: this is just a sample. Get a personalized article now from our expert writers. Get a Personalized Essay Manatee calves will drink their mother's milk while adults are insatiable grazers. In just 24 hours, a manatee is capable of eating a tenth of its very large body weight. That’s about 130 pounds. Because manatees are large, slow-moving animals that swim along coastal waters and rivers, they are extremely vulnerable to hunters. Manatees are hunted for their skin, oil and bones. Over the past century, manatee numbers have declined significantly because of all the hunters. Manatees are protected by law but are still endangered today. Manatees are also often accidentally struck by motorboats in busy waters and are sometimes caught in fishing nets. Like all other endangered species, if we want to see the manatee in 100 years, we must better protect it..