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West Indian Manatee

Facts: The West Indian Manatee, despite the name, occupies Central America. They are listed endangered in the Carribean sea, South America. and Southeastern USA.

Adult manatees are huge- they can be up to 3500 pounds and 12.5 feet long! Wow!

It is grey-brown, it has a rounded, flattened tail for swimming, and it looks like a combination of a whale and a dolphin.

The manatee is sometimes called, "sea cow" because of the fact that it only eats sea vegetation. However, a manatee can eat up to 15% of its body weight daily.

Manatees breed year round.

They surface every 2-5 minutes for air, and feed fore 6-8 hours a day!

In the wild, only 2500 West Indian manatees still exist living.

Manatees are endangered because their habitats are being intruded by boats that cut them up.>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>>

Illegal poaching is also a part of the problem which makes manatees endangered. What Can You Do?

Well, a good and easy way to help save the manatees is to spread the word! Let people know that these creatures are in danger and that they can help by spreading the word, too.

Contact your governors or political leaders. They should know that you care-and they are the ones who make the decisions.

Join a saving endangered wildlife club or a save the manatees club. They do volunteer work, help the environment, and anything they can to save the endangered creature.

Don't boat in their habitats. Manatees are often killed by careless boaters who boat in their habitats. Avoid Florida coastal manatees zones, and if you do find yourself in one, slow down and watch to make sure you are being kind to the manatees!

If you do happen to see a manatee that is an orphan, hurt, dead, or being abused, call this number: 1-888-404-FWCC

Video On Manatees:  media type="youtube" key="0mNa1OlABPg?version=3" height="360" width="640"