10 Facts About Manatees

Tooltip Scribbled Underline

Manatees are mammals, and the elephant is the closest living relative.

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Manatees cruise along at a leisurely 5 mph.

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The West Indian and West African manatee species require warm water.

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Due to their secrecy and the murky water where they frequently reside, it is difficult to estimate their population size.

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The main danger to this species is illegal subsistence harpoon hunting.

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Elephants are the closest living relatives of sirenians.

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The species was eradicated due to hunting and competition with an exploding urchin population for their kelp food source.

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