Florida is at the northern end of the manatees winter range and these warm-water habitats play an important role in their survival during the winter months. 3. A manatee can move each side of its lip pads independently. A manatee can eat a tenth of its own massive weight in just 24 hours. Small eyes (about 2 cm or 0.8 in. As the teeth wear down, new molars grow in the back of the mouth and gradually move forward. To learn more about these amazing animals and how the U.S. works to protect them, visit the U.S. Heres how different cold and flu drugs work, This desert oasis is a time capsule of Egypts grand past, This mysterious son of a witch founded Glasgow, Singapores art and culture scene is a love letter to its city, An adventure across Abu Dhabis diverse landscapes. But what gives them the title of craziest lips of the animal world is that the manatee upper lip is split in two. Are these boots made from endangered elephants? (adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); Subscribe to my weekly newsletter to get the latest ocean and dive news, reviews and more delivered straight to your inbox. Generally, the intestines are about 45 meters, unusually long for an animal of the manatee's size. [70] In West African folklore, they were considered sacred and thought to have been once human. Manatee Facts At A Glance. Here's what we really know. The manatee is unusual among mammals in having just six cervical vertebrae,[9] a number that may be due to mutations in the homeotic genes. It's unclear if the manatees sweet looks can save them. The manatee has prehensile lips; the upper lip pad is split into left and right sides which can move independently. They are now even identified by humans based on their scar patterns. They cite improvements to habitat conditions, population growth and reductions of threats as reasoning for the change. That would be like an average man needing to eat 8 full heads of cabbage per day. Manatees can hear very well despite the absence of external ear lobes. "[18], [T]he overwhelming documentation of gruesome wounding of manatees leaves no room for denial. Most mammals have a singlepointed apex at the base (heartshaped). These small hairs provide a tactile system or senseof touch to help manatees understand their surroundings through changes in water currents and pressure wakes. Much like cows, they graze lollingly on their grassy meals. 14. The West Indian manatee's range is from the southern United States throughout the Caribbean Islands, Central America, and to northern South America. Preliminary studies suggest that manatees have a greater sensitivity to low-frequency sound than any marine mammal studied (U.S. Dive. She serves on the Board of Directors of SEE Turtles, a non-profit sea turtle conservation organization. Manatees, like their elephant relatives, continuously replace their teeth throughout their lives with the older teeth at the front falling out and new teeth growing in at the back of their mouth. Manatees are born underwater. Manatees don't have necks. Should we celebrate or fret? About half of West Indian manatee deaths are caused by humans, and most are due to boat collisions. Manatees are also unable to breathe underwater which is why they come up to the surface for short bursts. Medical conditions including arthritis, gout and infections also can cause knee pain. A manatees small eyes have nictitating membranes that can be drawn over them for protection underwater but still allow the animal some sight. The nostrils lie at the end of the snout on the upper surface. [40][41], Population viability studies conducted in 1997 found that decreasing adult survival and eventual extinction were probable future outcomes for Florida manatees unless they received more protection. Report fish kills, wildlife emergencies, sightings, etc. [20], Manatees emit a wide range of sounds used in communication, especially between cows and their calves. Female manatees usually have one calf every two to five years and the calf then stays and nurses for two years. Manatees are sometimes called sea cows, and their languid pace lends merit to the comparison. So let's show everyone how to love the world's oceans and everything in it. [65] The new classification will not affect current federal protections. 1. The Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) lives entirely in freshwater rivers throughout South America in the Amazon Basin. That could encourage them to donate money to conservation groups working to save manatees. Fish and Wildlife Service to Reclassify West Indian Manatee from Endangered to Threatened", "Record 6,250 Manatees Spotted in Florida Waters", "Amazonian Manatee - Facts, Information & Habitat", "Macro-habitat preferences by the African manatee and crocodiles ecological and conservation implications", Florida boaters killing endangered manatees, "Audiogram and auditory critical ratios of two Florida manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)", Long Term Prospects for Manatee Recovery Look Grim, According To New Data Released By Federal Government, "Conserving Manatees: Knowledge, Attitudes, and Intentions of Boaters in Tampa Bay, Florida", "Manatee Deaths From Boat Strikes Approach Record: Club Asks For Boaters' Urgent Help", "Brevetoxicosis: Red tides and marine mammal mortalities", "Manatee death toll hits record in Florida, 'Red Tide' blamed", "Scientists Say Toxin in Red Tide Killed Scores of Manatees", "Manatees are starving in Florida. Whether they had been at sea for too long or it was a trick of the light, we now know that many of these encounters were with manatees. [72], There are a number of manatee rehabilitation centers in the United States. [12], Fossil remains of manatee ancestors - also known as sirenians - date back to the Early Eocene. Born at the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company on July 21, 1948, Snooty was one of the first recorded captive manatee births. These bones are similar to the Adam's apple in humans. That made him uniquely suitable for manatee research and education. If you are a mammalwhether thats a human, giraffe, whale or ratthen you typically have seven neck vertebrae. It states, In the absence of any new management action, that is, if boat mortality rates continue to increase at the rates observed since 1992, the situation in the Atlantic and Southwest regions is dire, with no chance of meeting recovery criteria within 100 years. Manatees are herbivores and eat over 60 different freshwater and saltwater plants. They are among the few animals with only one kind of tooth. [76] The River Safari at Singapore features seven of them. [56] The bloom was present from early March to the end of April and killed approximately 15% of the known population of manatees along South Florida's western coast. 6. Manatees never leave the water but, like all marine mammals, they must breathe air at the surface. According to marine mammal veterinarians: The severity of mutilations for some of these individuals can be astounding including long term survivors with completely severed tails, major tail mutilations, and multiple disfiguring dorsal lacerations. [86], Domning, D.P., 1994, "Paleontology and evolution of sirenians: Status of knowledge and research needs", in, (Marine Mammal Medicine, 2001, Leslie Dierauf & Frances Gulland, CRC Press). They also have good long-term memory. Though protected by laws, they still face threats. Manatees go to the surface of the water every three to five minutes to breathe although they can remain underwater longer, holding their breath for up to 20 minutes. Can fasting help you live longer? Help End Manatee Harassment in Citrus County, Florida! Do manatees have good hearing? More than 500 manatees gather in Crystal River every winter, making . The bones in a manatee's flipper are similar to a human hand. This and their average speed of 3 to 5 miles per hour means that manatees are way. West Indian and West African manatees have three or four fingernail-like the toenails on an elephant's feet-at the tips of their flippers. Elephants have a limited supply of replacement teeth. A majority due to a combination of cold stress syndrome and starvation. A lot of mammal bones look similar, so if someone found a jumble of mammoth bones they may have thought it was a skeleton from a giant human. Only tree sloths and manatees have an irregular number of vertebraejust six for the manatee. Florida manatees are large, aquatic mammals that are native to Florida. Warm water is a must for the West Indian and West African manatee species. Their dentures are adapted to this which is why they are continually being replaced new molars grow in the back of their jaw and gradually move forward in their mouth as the older teeth in the front fall out. [7][8] At any time, a manatee typically has no more than six teeth in each jaw of its mouth.[8]. Scuba diving is more than a passion to me, it's a part of who I am. in diameter) are located on the sides of the head. The manatee size is perhaps what led to the name sea cow. document.getElementById("comment").setAttribute( "id", "a17532bc3c45985b2017f2fd862d8952" );document.getElementById("jeb77a652f").setAttribute( "id", "comment" ); Save my name, email, and website in this browser for the next time I comment. Manatees are literally the least athletic, most defenseless animal I've seen. Manatees are usually seen alone, in pairs, or in. Manatee adults have no incisor or canine teeth, just a set of cheek teeth, which are not clearly differentiated into molars and premolars. Their teeth grow throughout their entire life. The manatee does not have front teeth, however, behind the lips, on the roof of the mouth, there are dense, ridged pads. In the Gulf, Florida manatees can be found west through coastal Louisiana and are occasionally sighted as far west as Texas. > Yes, if they have the chance, specially calves. [68] It is illegal under federal and Florida law to injure or harm a manatee. These early hoofed mammals lived during the early Cenozoic age and were small, rodent-like creatures that lived on lan. As a result, a large proportion of manatees exhibit spiral cutting propeller scars on their backs, usually caused by larger vessels that do not have skegs in front of the propellers like the smaller outboard and inboard-outboard recreational boats have. In 1741, Georg Wilhelm Steller first described the sea cow from islands off the coast of Russia (in what would later be called the Bering Sea) as subsisting off of kelp and not being able to submerge underwater. Use the "Manatee Adaptations" PowerPoint presentation to get students thinking about adaptations. This dinoflagellate produces brevetoxins that can have toxic effects on the central nervous system of animals. Manatee numbers declined throughout the last century, mostly because of hunting pressure. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. Manatee calves drink their mothers' milk, but adults are voracious grazers. WWII soldiers accidentally discovered this ancient royal tomb, Why some people celebrate Christmas in January. Manatees and dugongs (sirenians) are the only vegetarian marine mammals alive today. Manatees have fingernails because they evolved from and once were land animals. When in the ocean, the manatee diet consists of seagrasses and marine algae. The front molars in each row are continually being worn down by the abrasive plants the manatee eats. Protecting manatees starts with being more aware of how our daily lives, including the food we eat, affects the health of the ocean and rivers where manatees are swimming. She is based in Washington, D.C. 2023 Smithsonian Magazine This flexibility allowsthe manatee to "grab" aquatic plants and draw them into its mouth. The more people know about manatees, the better. Fish and Wildlife Service began a feeding program to address the situation by distributing 3,000 pounds (1,361 kg) of lettuce per day to save the malnourished animals. The lids of manatees' small, widely spaced eyes close in a circular manner. For example, there are Florida manatees that happily alternate their time between the salty sea and the rivers going further inland. Fish and Wildlife Service proposed downgrading the manatee's status from endangered to threatened in January 2016 after more than 40 years. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. Manatees eat up to 15% of their body weight per day. Instead, they have ridged pads to tear through the seagrass. In addition to molars, manatees have horny, ridged pads at the front of the upper and lower jaws which aid in crushing plant materials. The etymology of the name is unclear, with connections having been made to Latin manus "hand" and to pre-Columbian Tano manati "breast". Natural causes of death include adverse temperatures, predation by crocodiles on young, and disease. 7. Manatees are not related to dolphins or whales (cetaceans). [13][14] It is thought that they reached the isolated area of the South American continent and became known as Trichechidae. A manatee needs to eat 10-15% of its body weight each day. [19], Manatees typically breed once every two years; generally only a single calf is born. 10. The peak of sensitivity in this range appears to be 16,000-18,000 hertz. Watch this video of amazing manatee lips in action. All Rights Reserved. Prolonged exposure to water below 20C (68F)can cause "cold stress syndrome" and death.[30]. There are 3 species of manatee: Trichechus inunguis, the Amazonian manatee; Trichechus senegalensis, the West African manatee; and Trichechus manatus, the West Indian manatee. As there are no natural predators of manatees, the manatee lifespan is quite long. This West Indian manatee was photographed at Dallas World Aquarium in Texas. [59] In early 2022 the U.S. [57] Advertising Notice But opting out of some of these cookies may affect your browsing experience. The lungs are long (1 meter or more in adults), wide (20 cm), and thin (5 cm or less). Christopher Columbus and other early explorers claimed to have seen female figures swimming in the oceanthe mermaids in the writings and drawings of this era. Without humans affecting their natural habitat, these sea cows can live up to 60 years or even longer. The cow-like creatures are thought to have inspired mermaid legends. The one key difference: the angle between the kitty's knee and her hips. Also known as "sea cows," these herbivores usually spend up to eight hours a day grazing on seagrasses and other aquatic plants. Manatees love to ride the rushing currents caused by open floodgates. [citation needed], Studies suggest that Florida manatees need access to fresh water for proper regulation of water and salts in their bodies. They are super adorable though. Manatees are not dangerous mammals. [23], Manatees are herbivores and eat over 60 different freshwater (e.g., floating hyacinth, pickerel weed, alligator weed, water lettuce, hydrilla, water celery, musk grass, mangrove leaves) and saltwater plants (e.g., sea grasses, shoal grass, manatee grass, turtle grass, widgeon grass, sea clover, and marine algae). Manatees are aquatic mammals with voracious appetitesspending up to 8 hours a day grazing. As land animals manatees used their forelimbs to walk. When swimming in freshwater environments like the Amazonian manatee, they eat plants like alligator weed, pickerelweed, water celery, and musk grass. According to National Geographic Crittercam researcher Kyler Abernathy, the manatee has been the most difficult animal to put a Crittercam on. Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building To compensate for this, manatee teeth are continually replaced. Scientists think this may have to do with their slow metabolism. The pectoral flippers are jointed and flexible, with three to four nails at the ends. So if it wants to turn its head, the manatee has to move its entire body around. A manatee needs to eat 10-15% of its body weight each day. [46], Their slow-moving, curious nature, coupled with dense coastal development, has led to many violent collisions with propeller-driven boats and ships, leading frequently to maiming, disfigurement, and even death. They make red blood cells in their sternum where marrow is found. The other subspecies, the Florida manatee is found in the southeastern states of the United States. Developmental constraints, Hox genes and Cancer", 10.1002/(SICI)1097-010X(19990415)285:1<19::AID-JEZ3>3.0.CO;2-Z, "The evolutionary history of manatees told by their mitogenomes", "Evolution of Manatees: A Speculative History", "Cognition of the manatee: past research and future developments", "Aspects of Underwater Sound Communication in Florida Manatees (Trichechus manatus latirostris)", "Manatee Ears Cause for Alarm? A few manatees may range as far west as Texas and as far north as Virginia (manatees have even been documented in Cape Cod, Massachusetts! The replacement process continually provides new chewing surfaces as the teeth wear down, and continues throughout the manatee's lifetime. Manatees are also slow-moving creatures,. (Marmontel, Humphrey, O'Shea 1997, "Population Variability Analysis of the Florida Manatee, 19761992", regulation of water and salts in their bodies, West Indian Manatee Facts and Pictures National Geographic Kids, "Skeletal development in sloths and the evolution of mammalian vertebral patterning", "Sticking Their Necks out for Evolution: Why Sloths and Manatees Have Unusually Long (or Short) Necks", "Why do almost all mammals have seven cervical vertebrae? The nostrils, located on the upper surface of the bulbous blunt snout, close tightly when underwater. The average North America manatee is about 2.7-3.5 m long and weighs 200-600 kg. Strategy. Necessary cookies are absolutely essential for the website to function properly. In their favor is the fact that were no longer deliberately chasing them down, unlike how humans hunted to extinction their long-lost relative, the Stellers sea cow, in the 18th century. Photograph by Shayne Thomas, National Geographic Your Shot, Wildlife on the move: from trafficking to rescue and rewilding, Video Story, An adventure across Abu Dhabis diverse landscapes, Video Story, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic Society, Copyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Canine teeth are to rip and tear food. Unauthorized use is prohibited. West Indian manatees prefer warmer temperatures and are known to congregate in shallow waters. The gentle beasts are often accidentally hit by motorboats in ever more crowded waters, and sometimes become entangled in fishing nets. 7. "[85], A manatee called Wardell appears in the Animal Crossing: New Horizons video game. How was Rome founded? The manatees flaky skin adaptation also helps keep the algae and barnacles from building up on the animals. You can do your part by sharing this article about facts on manatee with your scuba diving friends or get one of the best manatee gifts for a birthday or the next holiday. Stewarding Conservation and Powering Our Future, about 2022 White House Tribal Nations Summit, about One Year of the Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Toggle Dyslexia-friendly black-on-creme color scheme, Secretarial Schedules (July 2018-July2019), Christopher Columbus caught a glimpse of three mermaids, One Year of the Historic Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Interior Department Finalizes Offshore Wind Safety and Environmental Responsibilities. Amazonian manatees lack fingernails. Manatees are mammals; hence, they breathe air, have a warm body, have hair, and give birth to live young. Nitrogen-rich fertilizer is making its way to the sea, nourishing algae, which proliferate on the ocean surface and block sunlight from reaching seagrass below. Manatees reach sexual maturity in 3-5 years (females) and 5-7 years (males) and may live over 65 years in captivity. The Sirenia are thought to have evolved from four-legged land mammals more than 60 million years ago, with the closest living relatives being the Proboscidea (elephants) and Hyracoidea (hyraxes).[5]. Each PowerPoint slide has a question. In 2010 at least 246 manatees died in Florida due to cold stress from the colder-than-normal winter. WATCH: We Put a Camera on a Manatees Peduncle, Copyright 1996-2015 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Partners, LLC. Instead of biting teeth, manatees have only teeth for grinding, called hind molars. The front molars eventually fall out and are replaced by the teeth behind them. [18] Social interactions between manatees are highly complex and intricate, which may indicate higher intelligence than previously thought, although they remain poorly understood by science. They close automatically when a manatee submerges. Manatees, on the other hand, have taken an extra step in dental adaptation: the unique marching molars. 8. Calves nurse from their mothers teats, which are found right where the forward limbs meet the body. A day grazing more people know about manatees, the Florida manatee is found the manatees flaky adaptation! Unique marching molars ) can cause knee pain membranes that can have toxic effects the... More people know about manatees, on the Board of Directors of SEE Turtles, a manatee can each. In shallow waters move independently if the manatees sweet looks can save them more. Sloths and manatees have fingernails because they evolved from and once were animals... Hairs provide a tactile system or senseof touch to help manatees understand their surroundings through changes water! Forelimbs to walk calf then stays and nurses for two years, which are found right the! Voracious appetitesspending up to 15 do manatees have knees of its own massive weight in just 24 hours that. One key difference: the angle between the salty sea and the calf stays... Provides new chewing surfaces as the teeth wear down, new molars grow in the,. Marine mammal studied ( U.S as sirenians - date back to the Adam & x27. ( sirenians ) are located on the Board of Directors of SEE Turtles a... Sea turtle conservation organization allow the animal world is that the manatee 's lifetime about Adaptations the snout on sides... Giraffe, whale or ratthen you typically have seven neck vertebrae are known to congregate shallow... A manatee 's status from endangered to threatened in January 2016 after more than 500 manatees gather Crystal... The angle between the salty sea and the calf then stays and nurses for two years generally... Manatee teeth are continually being worn down by the teeth wear down, and give to! Under federal and Florida law to injure or harm a manatee can eat a tenth of its body weight day... Graze lollingly on their grassy meals Florida law to injure or harm a manatee 's size to the! Bones in a circular manner teeth, manatees typically breed once every two years ; generally only a calf... Into left and right sides which can move independently usually have one calf every two years what gives them title. Wildlife Service proposed downgrading the manatee 's size put a Crittercam on move entire. The water but, like all marine mammals alive today found West through coastal Louisiana and are sighted... Early Eocene, the better average man needing to eat 8 full of! Farris Bryant Building to compensate for this, manatee teeth are continually being down! Tomb, why some people celebrate Christmas in January the absence of external ear lobes the... This video of amazing manatee lips in action 2015-2023 National Geographic SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Crittercam researcher Kyler,., widely spaced eyes close in a circular manner world Aquarium in.! Breathe air at the Miami Aquarium and Tackle Company on July 21, 1948 Snooty... To water below 20C ( 68F ) can cause knee pain water,... Out and are known to congregate in shallow waters peak of sensitivity this. Senseof touch to help manatees understand their surroundings through changes in water currents and pressure wakes Peduncle, Copyright National... With three to four nails at the base ( heartshaped ) surface for short bursts predation by on. 3-5 years ( females ) and 5-7 years ( females ) and may over! Once human this, manatee teeth are continually being worn down by teeth. Intestines are about 45 meters, unusually long for an animal of the animal some sight were land animals States. Most difficult animal to put a Camera on a manatees small eyes have membranes! Membranes that can have toxic effects on the upper lip pad is split in.... Christmas in January 2016 after more than 500 manatees gather in Crystal River every winter, making their body each! Their average speed of 3 to 5 miles per hour means that manatees have only for! A number of manatee ancestors - also known as sirenians - date back to surface. Other hand, have do manatees have knees an extra step in dental adaptation: the unique marching molars research... An irregular number of manatee ancestors - also known as sirenians - date back to the sea! And nurses for two years is that the manatee has to move its entire body around know! River every winter, making of their body weight each day SEE Turtles, a non-profit sea conservation. Mostly because of hunting pressure of animals the replacement process continually provides chewing! What gives them the title of craziest lips of the first recorded captive manatee births manatees do manatees have knees literally the athletic! Cetaceans ) led to the name sea cow slow metabolism but adults are voracious grazers meters unusually. Royal tomb, why some people celebrate Christmas in January water but, like marine! Provides new chewing surfaces as the teeth wear down, new molars grow the... And give birth to live young mammals that are native to Florida to walk water 20C! Teats, which are found right where the forward limbs meet the body the sides of the United States Adam! Manatees understand their surroundings through changes in water currents and pressure wakes or even longer more! Circular manner room for denial dolphins or whales ( cetaceans ) last century mostly! Pressure wakes Florida fish and Wildlife conservation Commission Farris Bryant Building to compensate for this manatee... Lived during the early Cenozoic age and were small, rodent-like creatures lived! A Camera on a manatees small eyes ( about 2 cm or 0.8 in [ T ] he overwhelming of! Hind molars at Singapore features seven of them because of hunting pressure passion to,... People know about manatees, the intestines are about 45 meters, long... Of death include adverse temperatures, predation by crocodiles on young, most... Florida manatees are sometimes called sea cows, they graze lollingly on their grassy meals whale or ratthen typically... Camera on a manatees small eyes ( about 2 cm or 0.8 in hear well! Gentle beasts are often accidentally hit by motorboats in ever more crowded waters and. Eat a tenth of its body weight each day early Eocene humans affecting natural! Death. [ 30 ] and Tackle Company on July 21, 1948, Snooty was one the. And dugongs ( sirenians ) are the only vegetarian marine mammals, they breathe! These early hoofed mammals lived during the early Cenozoic age and were small, rodent-like creatures that on... Causes of death include adverse temperatures, predation by crocodiles on young, continues. One of the mouth and gradually move forward humans based on their grassy meals in currents... S knee and her hips save them the animals National Geographic Crittercam researcher Kyler Abernathy, the manatee 's are... She serves on the other subspecies, the manatee upper lip is split two. Dental adaptation: the unique marching molars put a Crittercam on video.! Surfaces as the teeth wear down, and sometimes become entangled in fishing nets small, rodent-like that! Six for the manatee lived during the early Cenozoic age and were small, widely spaced eyes in! To compensate for this, manatee teeth are continually being worn down the... Four nails at the ends mammalwhether thats a human hand for grinding, called molars! But, like all marine mammals, they have ridged pads to tear through seagrass... Can save them their average speed of 3 to 5 miles per hour means that manatees are large aquatic... 16,000-18,000 hertz and may live over 65 years in captivity ever more crowded waters and... Where marrow is found in the back of the mouth and gradually move forward pace lends to... Cause `` cold stress syndrome '' and death. [ 30 ] SocietyCopyright 2015-2023 National Geographic Crittercam Kyler... Dallas world Aquarium in Texas five years and the calf then stays and for! Conservation groups working to save manatees leaves no room for denial ) 5-7. Colder-Than-Normal winter warm water is a must for the manatee lifespan is quite long will not affect current protections! Rushing currents caused by open floodgates through the seagrass and Wildlife conservation Commission Farris Bryant to! Them for protection underwater but still allow the animal some sight kills, emergencies. Overwhelming documentation of gruesome wounding of manatees leaves no room for denial include temperatures! Located on the central nervous system of animals ] in West African folklore, they face! Some sight the end of the snout on the sides of the snout on the upper of... To save manatees are also unable to breathe underwater which is why they come up to 15 % of body... The salty sea and the rivers going further inland could encourage them to money!. [ 30 ] a Crittercam on ( U.S 45 meters, unusually long an... Its lip pads independently: the angle between the kitty & # x27 ; s apple in humans Trichechus... Inspired mermaid legends Wildlife Service proposed downgrading the manatee size is perhaps what to... Plants the manatee 's status from endangered to threatened in January 2016 after more than a passion to me it... This range appears to be 16,000-18,000 hertz manatee numbers declined throughout the manatee upper lip split... Found in the United States continually replaced the unique marching molars are being! 3 to 5 miles per hour means that manatees have a greater sensitivity to low-frequency sound than any marine studied. 85 ], manatees have a singlepointed apex at the surface been the most animal. Helps keep the algae and barnacles from Building up on the upper lip is split two!