How long do manatees live?

Manatees typically live 40 to 60 years in the wild. Some individuals have been documented living over 65 years. Their long lifespan combined with slow reproduction rates makes population recovery challenging. Conservation efforts help manatees reach their natural lifespan potential.

Are manatees related to dugongs?

Yes, manatees and dugongs are closely related. Both belong to the order Sirenia. The main differences are their tail shapes. Manatees have paddle shaped tails while dugongs have fluked tails like whales. Dugongs live in Indo Pacific waters while manatees inhabit Atlantic regions and freshwater rivers.

Why do manatees need warm water?

Manatees cannot survive in cold water because they have very little body fat and low metabolic rates. Water below 68 degrees Fahrenheit can cause cold stress syndrome, which can be fatal. Florida manatees migrate to warm water springs during winter to maintain safe body temperatures around 72 degrees.

How fast can manatees swim?

Manatees typically swim at 3 to 5 mph. They can briefly reach speeds of 15 to 20 mph when fleeing danger, but they cannot maintain fast speeds. Their slow movement and peaceful nature earned them the nickname sea cows. Most time is spent resting or slowly grazing.

Do manatees have predators?

Adult manatees have no natural predators due to their large size. Young calves face rare threats from crocodiles, alligators, or sharks. However, humans pose the greatest danger. Boat strikes, habitat loss, entanglement in fishing gear, and pollution are the main threats manatees face today.

Can manatees live in freshwater?

Yes, manatees can live in both saltwater and freshwater. West Indian manatees regularly move between coastal saltwater and freshwater rivers. The Amazonian manatee lives exclusively in freshwater. Manatees drink freshwater and seek out springs or river mouths to meet their hydration needs even in saltwater habitats.

Why are manatees called sea cows?

Manatees are called sea cows because they graze on underwater vegetation similar to how cows graze on grass. Their gentle nature, slow movement, and herbivorous diet resemble cattle behavior. The name emphasizes their peaceful, plant eating lifestyle. Early sailors also mistook manatees for mermaids.

Manatee Facts: Behavior, Habitat, Diet & More

Learn about gentle sea cows and conservation efforts

Manatees are gentle aquatic mammals known as sea cows. Learn about manatee species, diet, warm water habitats, threats, and conservation.

Key Facts

Scientific Name

Trichechus

Lifespan

40 to 60 years

Length

8 to 13 feet (2.4 to 4 m)

Weight

800 to 1,200 lbs (360 to 540 kg)

Species

3 species

Diet

Herbivore (aquatic plants)

Food Intake

10% of body weight daily

Swimming Speed

3 to 5 mph (5 to 8 km/h)

Habitat

Warm coastal waters and rivers

Breath Hold

Up to 20 minutes

Teeth Replacement

Continuously throughout life

Gestation Period

12 to 13 months

Quick Stats

Attribute	Value
Scientific Name	Trichechus
Average Lifespan	40 to 60 years
Length Range	8 to 13 feet
Weight Range	800 to 1,200 lbs
Number of Species	3
Diet Type	Herbivore
Daily Food Intake	10% body weight
Swimming Speed	3 to 5 mph
Gestation Period	12 to 13 months

About Manatee Facts: Behavior, Habitat, Diet & More

Manatees are large, slow moving aquatic mammals often called sea cows. These gentle herbivores spend their entire lives in water, grazing on aquatic plants in warm coastal areas and rivers.

Physical Characteristics

Adults measure 8 to 13 feet long and weigh between 800 and 1,200 pounds. Some large males exceed 3,500 pounds. Unlike most marine mammals, manatees have only six neck vertebrae instead of seven. Unlike most mammals, manatee teeth are continuously replaced throughout life.

Species and Distribution

Three manatee species exist worldwide. It is the smallest species, rarely exceeding 800 pounds. Water temperatures below 68 degrees Fahrenheit can be fatal. These natural springs maintain constant temperatures around 72 degrees year round.

Diet and Feeding Behavior

Manatees are strict herbivores that eat only aquatic and shoreline vegetation. Manatees eat approximately 10 percent of their body weight each day. A 1,000 pound manatee consumes about 100 pounds of vegetation daily. They spend 6 to 8 hours per day grazing.

Behavior and Social Structure

Manatees are generally solitary animals that occasionally gather in groups. Large gatherings occur at warm water sites during winter. These aggregations are not true social groups but simply multiple individuals seeking warmth. Most of their time is spent resting, traveling slowly between feeding areas, or grazing.

Reproduction and Parenting

Female manatees reach sexual maturity around 5 years old. The gestation period lasts 12 to 13 months, one of the longest among marine mammals. Females typically give birth to a single calf every 2 to 5 years. Newborn calves weigh 60 to 70 pounds and measure about 4 feet long.

Respiration and Diving

Manatees are mammals that must surface to breathe air. They typically surface every 3 to 5 minutes when active. When resting, manatees can remain submerged for up to 20 minutes between breaths. Manatees replace about 90 percent of the air in their lungs with each breath, compared to only 10 percent in humans.

Conservation Status and Threats

Manatees face numerous threats despite legal protections. Boat strikes are the leading cause of manatee deaths in Florida. Propeller injuries and collisions kill or injure hundreds annually. In 2017, the species was downlisted to threatened.

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Did You Know?

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Manatee teeth are continuously replaced throughout their life like a conveyor belt

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Manatees can hold their breath for up to 20 minutes when resting underwater

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A manatee's closest living relative is the elephant, sharing a common ancestor millions of years ago

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Manatees replace about 90 percent of air in their lungs with each breath compared to 10 percent in humans

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Florida manatees have no natural predators as adults due to their large size

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Manatees were once mistaken for mermaids by sailors exploring the Caribbean

Frequently Asked Questions

Manatees are strict herbivores that eat aquatic and shoreline vegetation. They consume seagrass, algae, water hyacinth, and other aquatic plants. Manatees eat approximately 10 percent of their body weight daily, about 100 pounds of vegetation for an average adult. They spend 6 to 8 hours each day grazing.