What are Endangered manatee?

Manatees are marine mammals. The most well-known type in the States is the Florida manatee. Florida manatees are endangered for a variety of natural and human causes. Manatees are very sensitive to cold water temperatures, and will perish if they remain in waters below about 68 degrees for too long. This is because they do not have a thick layer of blubber like dolphins or whales. In addition, red tide is a natural algal bloom that produces toxins which effect the central nervous system; these are fatal to many marine organisms, including the manatee. Human activities also result in manatee deaths. It is not uncommon for manatees to be struck by boats, and either the propeller or the hull can cause fatal injuries. In addition, crab traps and fishing line can ensnare the curious manatees, making it impossible for them to ascend to the surface for air. Though they have large lungs, manatees can only hold their breath for about twenty minutes, and if they are exerting a lot of energy, that time decreases substantially. Occasionally, manatees ar trapped in canal locks and flood gates. Luckily for the manatee, they have no natural predators. Their large size seems to deter animals like alligators and sharks. Also, manatee populations are slow to recover after a blow to their numbers. The gestation period for manatees is about 13 months, and it is rare for manatee mothers to give birth to more than one calf at a time. Once the calf is born, it remains with its mother for about two years, making each calf about a three-year investment.

Additional Info: There is also the, Amazonian Manatee, West African Manatee, and the West Indian Manatee, as well as a Dugong, listed on the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service, List of Endangered Species.

First answer by ID0984136366. Last edit by Star Wanderer. Contributor trust: 83 [recommend contributor]. Question popularity: 36 [recommend question]