West Indian Manatee (Trichechus Manatus)

Max Length: 14 feet
Max weight: 1,300 lb
life expectancy: 50 years
Max speed: 20 mph

They were commonly mistaken for mermaids. they are vegetarians and eat about 10% of their body weight everyday in vegetation. they constantly replace their molars throughout their life.

When sleeping they can hold their breath for 20 minutes and and when active for 5 minutes.

Gestation period is about 11 months. Although breeding and birth may occur at any time during the year, there appears to be a broad spring-summer calving peak. The reproductive rate for manatees is low. The age of sexual maturity is about five years. One calf is born every two to five years and twins are rare.


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