Jeannie has four different Manatees in
her plush collection. They include the little blue Manatee that
was made by Applause and was part of their Wyland Collection
(retired). The large Manatee in the back is 12 inches long from
nose to tail. It was purchased at a local collectibles show.
And on the right is Manny the Manatee from Douglas.
Manny is the only item above that can be purchased in the Gift
Shop, if in stock. The light grey Manatee is also called Manny
and it was made by Ty Inc. Manny is a Beanie Baby and
is retired. Check our Gift
Shop to see if we have any Manatees in stock.
The Manatee, Trichechus manatus,
is a large, water-dwelling mammal. It is about seven feet long
and weighs around 450 pounds. They can reach a length of 13 feet
and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. Manatees are helpless out of the
water. They are vegetarians and feed on underwater vegetation
such as water hyacinth and hydrilla. They cannot tolerate water
temperatures that are lower than 46 degrees F.
Manatees have six teeth on each side of
the upper and lower jaw. As the teeth wear out they are replaced.
The front tooth falls out and is replaced by a new tooth at the
end of the line that pushes forward.
Manatee's nostrils are valvelike, closing
when they submerge. The animal is almost hairless with the muzzle
covered with stiff bristles. The front legs are flippers and
the tail is a broad paddle.
These animals can remain submerged for
up to 25 minutes but generally only remain underwater for 9 minutes
at a time.
Manatees bear one calf every year. The
gestation period is about 11 months.They are born in April or
May and weigh around 60 pounds. They are born under water and
the mother immediately brings her baby to the surface. Both parents
tend the young. Nursing takes place under water.
Predators of this animal include sharks,
alligators, crocodiles and killer whales. Manatees are slow movers
and sometimes injured in the water by boat propellers. These
animals are endangered and fully protected in the United States.
Order:
Sirenia | Family: Trichechidae | Genus/Species:
Trichechus manatus
