Animals of the manatee genus differ from representatives of the dugongidae family ( Dugongidae ) in the shape of a skull and tail: the tail of the manatee has the shape of an oar, while the tail of the dugong is in the form of a fork. On the fins there are flat nail-like hooves resembling elephant elephants. One of the unique features that combine manatees with elephants is the constant change of molars, which is generally uncharacteristic for mammals. New teeth appear further down the jaw and gradually displace old and worn teeth forward. The cervical vertebrae of manatee are not seven, like most mammals, but six.
Manatees have a weight of 400 to 550 kilograms and an average length of 2.8 to 3.0 m with maximums of 3.6 meters and 1775 kg (females are usually larger and heavier). At birth, the manatee cubs have an average weight of 30 kg.
Manatees, in particular, inhabit the small, swampy coastal areas of North , Central , and South America , as well as the Caribbean .
There are three to four types of manatees [1] :
- Amazon manatee ( Trichechus inunguis )
- American manatee ( Trichechus manatus )
- African manatee ( Trichechus senegalensis )
- Dwarf manatee ( Trichechus pygmaeus ) is a controversial species.
African manatees live near the coast and in the rivers of equatorial Africa (on the west coast), Amazonian manatees can be found on the east coast of South America (in the Amazon , Orinoco rivers and their tributaries), American manatees live in the West Indies (Caribbean coast from Florida to Brazil ). Some distinguish Florida manatee in a separate form, but ITIS considers it as a subspecies of American manatee [2] . Florida manatees reach 4.5 meters or more in length; live both in fresh and in salt water. Manatees were hunted because of their fat and meat; Now hunting for them is prohibited.
American manatee is an endangered species. Although he is not afraid of any natural predators, the expansion of man has reduced his natural habitat in coastal areas. Many manatees are damaged by the propellers of motor boats. Manatees swallow fishing tackle, and fishing line, once in the digestive system of the animal, stray into a ball and begins to slowly kill him.
Manatees are often attracted to thermoelectric power plants releasing warm water. Accustomed to this constant source of unnatural heat, manatees stopped migrating to warm waters. Recently, power plants have begun to shut down, and the US Fisheries and Wildlife Service is trying to find a way to heat water for manatees [3] .
