Physical Characteristics of Manatees

1
Physical Characteristics of
Manatees

• Kelsey G.
• Elizabeth F.
• Kalyn H.

2
Introduction

• In this presentation we are going to present
  with the physical characteristics of the
  manatee. You will learn the looks, parts,
  reproduction, and the habits of the manatees.

3
Physical Characteristics

• The manatee has a large seal like body,with two
  limbs and four nails on each. On their gray or
  brown wrinkled skin,they have whiskers by their
  mouth,with fine hairs covering the rest of their
  body. Gentle slow moving allows
  eating,resting,and traveling. Manatees can grow
  up to be 15ft long and weigh about 3000
  pounds,thats why it is nicknamed The Sea Cow.
  

4
Body Parts of the Manatee

• The manatee has small wide set eyes, with a small
  wrinkled head and face. Whiskers cover the snout
  and fine hairs cover the rest of their body. The
  manatee has a paddle shape tail and two front
  flippers. Their thick, wrinkled skin color varies
  from brown to gray.

5
Manatee Habits

• Manatees feed upon aquatic plants, carrots, sweet
  potatoes, apples, bananas, and monkey biscuits.
  Squeaks and squeals are common among all manatees
  when fighting, talking, or playing. Manatees are
  herbivores and feed only on vegetables and
  fruits, Also while sleeping they float along the
  surface of the water.

6
Reproduction

• Female manatees are mature enough to reproduce
  at 5-9years and the males at ages 6-9years. The
  female produces one calf every two to five years,
  twins are very rare for manatees. For the first
  two years the calf stays with its mother
  feeding, resting, and traveling. The baby feeds
  for the first couple of years on the nipples
  underneath the front flippers. Manatee babies are
  very safe because they have no predators.

7
Conclusion

• We have learned that the manatee is gentle,
  slow, and kind to humans. We have also learned
  that it is important to preserve the manatees
  habitat from pollution that would harm the
  manatees body and life.

8
Resources

• Http/www.dispatch.com/manateezoo/facts.html
• Http/www.gate.net/7emanatee/manfacts.html
• Http/ www.manateeworld.net/description.html
• Http/www.seaworld.org/books/manatee/home.ht
• Http/www.serina.org/factsheets/westindianman.ht
• Http/bigchalk.com/ cgi-bin/webobjects.html
• Http/www.savethemanatee.org/faq.html
• Http/www.learner.org/jnorth/tm/manatee/html

9
Resources (cont.)

• Http/www.kidsplant.org/factsheets/manatee.html
• Http/enature.com/