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West Indian Manatee

Did you know that the West Indian manatee is also known as a sea cow? This endearing nickname can be attributed to their feeding habits. West Indian manatees primarily feed on (sea)grasses — just like cows!

 

West Indian manatees are large, marine mammals, growing on average up to 3 meters (9.8 feet) long and weighing up to 600 kilograms (1,322.8 pounds). They are most often found in shallow, coastal, environments, but have also been observed in rivers, estuaries, and canals.  In the United States, West Indian manatees can be found year-round  in Florida, and also make seasonal movements into other southern U.S. states, travelling as far north as Virginia. Despite their size, these creatures don’t have a thick layer of body fat to keep them warm, so they prefer tropical and subtropical waters to stay warm.  

These gentle animals are herbivores — meaning they only eat plants. Because their diets are low in nutrients, they must feed for up to eight hours every day!  Chewing on rough plants all day is rough on the teeth, so West Indian manatees are constantly replacing their molars throughout their lives as they wear down. 

 

 

West Indian Sea cows live in areas without natural predators. However, this species is hunted occasionally for meat in the Caribbean part of its range. In the United States, they may face human-caused threats like vessel strikes and entanglement in fishing gear. Manatees may also be negatively impacted by exposure to cold temperatures, harmful algal blooms like red tide, hurricanes, and disease — all of which can be worsened by climate change.  

Human expansion and development along coastal environments may also impact these sea cows by limiting seagrass beds where they feed. Today, West Indian manatees are protected in the United States by the Marine Mammal Protection Act, which prevents hunting, capturing, or killing these animals. Despite these protections, the United States subspecies of the West Indian manatee is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List.

 

 

West Indian manatees live in a variety of habitats, and require abundant, healthy ecosystems to thrive. You can learn more about how key laws like the Marine Mammal Protection Act helps safeguard iconic species like the west Indian manatee on Oceana’s website.   

 

 

 

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