Order Sirenia

HARMLESS
Defenseless
totally aquatic
Sea Cow
Manatee
Dugong
3 species / * sub species
West African Manatee
Amazonian Manatee
West Indian Manatee Trichechus manatus
Florida Manatee Trichechus manatus latirostris
Antillean Manatee Trichechus manatus manatus

Florida Manatee
Trichechus manatus latirostris
10-13
800-1200 lbs
Female larger




Urogential slit near anus female
Urogenital slit mid-stomach - male
Eat
Vegeterian!
Grind food w/ molars
Teeth continually replaced as worn down
Horizontal tooth replacement
New erupt from back move forward
replace lost teeth

Large lips manipulate food into mouths
Prehensile lips
6-8 hrs feeding/day
2 nostrils
No external ear
Front flippers w/ nails
No rear limbs
Spatulate tail
Migrate to warm water
Basic social unit
Mom/Calf
Female teat below
pectoral flippers
80% of population has boat collision wounds
Endangerd
CITES I
Most dire
before extinction