Joneisha Turner - West indian Manatee

  The West Indian Manatee Is One Of The Most Endangered Species In The U.S. The minimum Population Of The West Indian Manatee 2500-4000 Left over The World . This Species Lives In The West Indies Or Caribbean , Generally In Shallow Coastal Areas . However, The West Indian Manatee Lives in Saltwater That's Slow Moving and Shallow. In Summer Months They Can Be Founded In The Far West (Texas , North Massachusetts , Alabama , Georgia , And South Carolina ).



The West Indian Manatee Grows Up To 2.5 Feet & Weighs Up to 3000-3500 lb. The Scientific Name For The Manatee Is Trichechus Manatus . These Species Are Solitary Animals That Are Predators .A Manatee Is An Herbivore (Something That Doesn't Eat Meat) They Eat Sea Plants , Algae And grasses .

The Manatee Sleeps primarily  Underwater , If The water Is Shallow Enough They Will Sleep On The Bottom Of The river Bed Or Pond. Every 10 -20 Minutes The Manatee Rises up To The Surface To Take A Breath Before Returning To The Former Position . The Manatee Is Most Active Early mornings 7 days A Week.

























The Reproductive Rate For The Manatee Is low. Manatees Are Sexually Mature Until They Are About 5 Years old. Every Calf Is Born 2-5 Years And Twins Are Rare .
The gestation Period Is About A Year. Mothers Nurse The Calf One To Two Years ...




 

 A Manatee Has No Natural Enemies..




A Manatee Can Live Up To 60 Years Old , Maybe Even Longer . A Manatee Can Grow Almost As Big As An Elephant . The Elephant And Manatee Are Related , Which Is Almost The Reason Why The Manatee Can As Big As An Elephant.






 Due To Hunting The Manatees And There Groups being Divided Into Florida ,Programs And Advocary Projects Are Being Set Up To Save The Manatee. The Recovery Plan Is Cooridnated by  U.S  Fish And Wild Life Service .