Anatomy:

• Gray or gray-brown, blotches and scarring from boat propellers are common

• Small head, no neck crease, large and spatulate tail. A rotund body, eyes are small and deeply set, a bristly muzzle with prehensile lips

• Adult Size: 8.2-14.8 ft. up to 3,500 lbs.

• Birth Size: 3.3 ft. about 70lbs

Behavior:​

• Slow swimmers, average dives are about 4 minutes, maximum dives at 24 minutes.

• Group near warm water during cold weather

• Herbivorous, eating sea grasses and plants

• Make seasonal inshore-offshore movements in response to temperature change (~1,000 miles roundtrip)

Fun Facts:

• The West Indian manatee is surprisingly agile in water, and individuals have been seen doing rolls, somersaults, and even swimming upside-down. 

Group Size:

• They travel alone or in pairs