Manatees Bookmark

Description

Manatees are peace-loving animals.  Manatees are thought to be the origin of the ancient belief that mermaids existed ini the West Indies.  With its stout body, wrinkled skin, bristly snout and tiny eyes this homely creature bears little resemblance to mermaids!  Manatees are found along the coast, from the southeastern US, to Brazil.

Manatees inhabit warm shallow waters and may comsume up to 100 pounds of aquatic plants each day.  They face an uncertain future.  Manatees have long been hunted for their meat and hide.  Many are killed each year by boat propellers.  Others fall victim to accidents in floodgates, pollution, or loss of habitat.  Most of the 1200 surviving, endangered manatees are concentrated in Florida.