The manatee is also known as a sea cow or walrus. They are very large marine mammals ranging in weight from 440 to 1,300 pounds. The manatee is more closely related to elephants than to dolphins and whales. They are herbivores, meaning they only eat plants. An adult manatee will eat all types of aquatic grasses, weeds, and algae. Manatees range from 8 to 13 feet in length. The average lifespan of a manatee is 40 years. Manatees are graceful swimmers in coastal waters and rivers. Say no to plagiarism. Get a tailor-made essay on "Why Violent Video Games Shouldn't Be Banned"? Get an original essay They are usually slower swimmers, coasting at around 5 miles per hour but can also swim up to 15 miles per hour for short periods of time due to their strong tail. Most of the time, a manatee will swim in pairs or alone, but sometimes they will swim in groups of up to six. Manatees never leave the water but, like all other marine mammals, must breathe air from the surface of the water. Usually, a manatee that doesn't move or goes very slowly can last up to 15 minutes underwater without surfacing for air. If they swim, however, they will probably have to surface for air about every 3-4 minutes. There are three species of manatee, all based on where they live. If you live in the United States, particularly on the east coast near Florida, the manatee you might see there would be the West Indian manatee. The West Indian manatee usually ranges along the east coast of North America, from Florida to Brazil. The West Indian manatee can weigh up to 1,400 pounds. The Amazonian manatee species lives along the Amazon River. According to the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN), the area in which Amazonian manatees live is estimated to be approximately 2.7 million square miles. The African manatee lives along the west coast and in the rivers of Africa. Like other marine mammals, manatees are born underwater. After birth, the mother must help the manatee calf bring it to the surface so it can take its first breath. After that, though, manatee calves are usually able to swim on their own an hour later. Please note: this is just an example. Get a custom paper from our expert writers now. Get a Custom Essay Manatee calves will drink their mother's milk while the adults are insatiable grazers. In just 24 hours a manatee is able to eat a tenth of its enormous weight. That's about 130 pounds. Because manatees are large, slow animals that swim along coastal waters and rivers, they are extremely vulnerable to hunters. Manatees are hunted for their skins, oils and bones. Over the last century, manatee numbers have declined significantly due to the increase in hunters. Manatees are protected by law but are still endangered today. Manatees are often accidentally struck by motorboats in crowded waters and sometimes become entangled in fishing nets. Like all other endangered species, if we want to see the manatee in 100 years, we need to protect it better.