Manatees [Trichechidae]
Description
Trichechidae is the family that includes three species of manatees: the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), and the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis). Manatees are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. They have a stout, elongated body with a flat, paddle-shaped tail and two forelimbs that function as flippers. Manatees are distinguished by their slow metabolism and low reproductive rate. They are primarily found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas, where they feed on a wide variety of aquatic vegetation. The West Indian and African species inhabit the North Atlantic Ocean, while the Amazonian manatee is found in the Amazon River and its tributaries. These gentle giants are crucial for the ecosystem, particularly in the role of controlling aquatic plant growth and contributing to the nutrient cycle in their habitats.