Sea cow manateeSea cow manatee

By: Daniel Rhoten By: Daniel Rhoten

Were do the sea cows go Were do the sea cows go during the winter during the winter

Manatees can be found in shallow, slow-Manatees can be found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas — particularly where canals, and coastal areas — particularly where sea grass beds or freshwater vegetation sea grass beds or freshwater vegetation flourish. Manatees are a migratory species. flourish. Manatees are a migratory species. Within the United States, they are Within the United States, they are concentrated in Florida in the winter. In concentrated in Florida in the winter. In summer months, they can be found as far west summer months, they can be found as far west as Texas and as far north as Massachusetts, as Texas and as far north as Massachusetts, but summer sightings in Alabama, Georgia and but summer sightings in Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina are more common. West Indian South Carolina are more common. West Indian manatees can also be found in the coastal and manatees can also be found in the coastal and inland waterways of Central America and along inland waterways of Central America and along the northern coast of South America during the the northern coast of South America during the winterwinter

Were do sea cows manatee go Were do sea cows manatee go during the summer during the summer

manatees live in the waters surrounding manatees live in the waters surrounding the southern United States, the Caribbean the southern United States, the Caribbean Islands, eastern Central America and off of Islands, eastern Central America and off of the northeast coast of Brazil. They can be the northeast coast of Brazil. They can be found in both fresh and marine waters, found in both fresh and marine waters, muddy or clear. They seem to prefer water muddy or clear. They seem to prefer water between three and seven feet deep. They between three and seven feet deep. They will not go in water over 20 feet deep or will not go in water over 20 feet deep or where the current is more than three miles where the current is more than three miles per hour. per hour.

Why do the sea cows manatee Why do the sea cows manatee migratemigrate

Temperatures are rising, which means fewer manatees are huddling Temperatures are rising, which means fewer manatees are huddling up in the springs that serve as their winter resting places. A recent up in the springs that serve as their winter resting places. A recent aerial survey shows most of them have headed out to the Gulf of aerial survey shows most of them have headed out to the Gulf of Mexico.Mexico.

U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services staff counted 126 manatees during U.S. Fish and Wildlife Services staff counted 126 manatees during the survey last week from the Cross Florida Barge Canal near Inglis the survey last week from the Cross Florida Barge Canal near Inglis south to the Homosassa River. That number is down considerably south to the Homosassa River. That number is down considerably from other surveys in recent months when temperatures were from other surveys in recent months when temperatures were coldest. One winter survey showed more than 600 manatees in the coldest. One winter survey showed more than 600 manatees in the same area.same area.

Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex staff counted 66 Chassahowitzka National Wildlife Refuge Complex staff counted 66 adults and 13 calves in King’s Bay, 10 adults and two calves in the adults and 13 calves in King’s Bay, 10 adults and two calves in the Crystal River, 14 adults and one calf at Salt River, three adults and Crystal River, 14 adults and one calf at Salt River, three adults and one calf at the power plant discharge canal, one adult at the Cross one calf at the power plant discharge canal, one adult at the Cross Florida Barge Canal, three adults and three calves at the Florida Barge Canal, three adults and three calves at the Homosassa River and five adults and four calves at the lower Homosassa River and five adults and four calves at the lower Homosassa RiverHomosassa River

The distance that animals migrateThe distance that animals migrate

They swim 818 miles out to the They swim 818 miles out to the sea to migrate. Manatees are sea to migrate. Manatees are slow-moving animals. It is slow-moving animals. It is estimated that manatees can estimated that manatees can travel up to 20 mph in short travel up to 20 mph in short bursts, but they usually travel bursts, but they usually travel between 3-5 mph. between 3-5 mph.

What would happen if they did not What would happen if they did not migrate migrate

If they did not migrate If they did not migrate then there would no then there would no more baby manatee more baby manatee and then the would go and then the would go extinctextinct

Fact’sFact’s

Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large, fully aquatic marine Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large, fully aquatic marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. The name manati comes from the Taino, a mammals sometimes known as sea cows. The name manati comes from the Taino, a pre-Columbian people of the Caribbean, meaning 'breast'. They contain three of the pre-Columbian people of the Caribbean, meaning 'breast'. They contain three of the four living species in the order Sirenia, the other being the dugong, which is native to four living species in the order Sirenia, the other being the dugong, which is native to the Eastern Hemisphere. The Sirenia is thought to have evolved from four-legged the Eastern Hemisphere. The Sirenia is thought to have evolved from four-legged land mammals over 60 million years ago, with the closest living relatives being the land mammals over 60 million years ago, with the closest living relatives being the Proboscidea (elephants) and Hyracoidea (hyraxes).Proboscidea (elephants) and Hyracoidea (hyraxes).

Fact’s

Types Types

Amazonian Manatee Amazonian Manatee

West Indian Manatee West Indian Manatee

African Manatee African Manatee

Male manatee Male manatee

Female manatee Female manatee