MANATEES
Though rare for the area, Delaware does occasionally see a wayward manatee floating within our waterways
WEST INDIAN MANATEE
(Trichechus manatus)
Anatomy:
-
Gray or gray-brown, blotches and scarring from boat propellers are common
-
Small head, no neck crease, large and spatulate tail. A rotund body, eyes are small and deeply set, a bristly muzzle with prehensile lips
-
Adult Size: 8.2-14.8 ft. up to 3,500 lbs.
-
Birth Size: 3.3 ft. about 70lbs
Behavior:
-
Slow swimmers, average dives are about 4 minutes, maximum dives at 24 minutes.
-
Group near warm water during cold weather
-
Herbivorous, eating sea grasses and plants
-
Make seasonal inshore-offshore movements in response to temperature change (~1,000 miles roundtrip)
Fun Facts:
-
The West Indian manatee is surprisingly agile in water, and individuals have been seen doing rolls, somersaults, and even swimming upside-down.
Group Size:
-
They travel alone or in pairs
WEST INDIAN MANATEE
(Trichechus manatus)
Location:
-
Inshore and Offshore
Status:
-
Endangered but stable
Distribution:
-
Warm coastal and inland waters (marine, estuarine, and riverine), but need access to freshwater
-
Tropical w. Atlantic Ocean in U.S. waters, primarily peninsular Florida and southeast Georgia, but range from Texas (Gulf Coast) to as far north as Rhode Island
Threats:
-
Boat collisions
-
Cold-stress
-
Toxic algal blooms
-
Coastal development and industrial catastrophes
Diet:
-
Marine vegetation