Oriole

Frequently Asked Questions
Students Ask and Experts Answer
Contributed by Manatee Expert Nancy Sadusky
Save the Manatee Club

Characteristics size weight body systems senses communication physiology other physical characteristics

Life Cycle longevity birth and growth reproduction and young heredity parenting behavior

Ecology habitat and range niche food enemies adaptations migration populations distribution ecosystems

Conservation threats/human impacts habitat loss conservation status historic population size conservation efforts, etc.

• Why can manatees turn only their head?
• How long do they live?
• Can manatees see color?
• Did mantees walk on land long ago?
• What is the average weight of a manatee?
• Do manatees have teeth?
• Why do they grow green moss on there bodies?
• Are manatees as smart as humans?
• What is the record weight of a manatee?
• What is the record age of a manatee?
• Does a manatee's skin ever change color? If so, what causes this change?
• How long do manatees live?
• Our group is researching the manatee as we track the migration this spring. We were wondering...What is/are the function(s) of the manatee's whiskers?
• Do manatees have teeth?
• How do manatees communicate?
• What's the oldest a manatee has ever lived?
• How can manatees go such a long period of time without taking a breath?

Life Cycle

• Do the manatees have any mating dances or special sounds during mating season?
• We have researched Manatees and found that female manatees give birth to one baby. What is the most common manatee baby a manatee can get, a male or female?
• What's the largest number of babies a manatee has ever had?
• How do they mate?
• How young are the calves when they start breeding?
• How can you tell a female from a male manatee?
• How do manatees produce babies?
• How much do manatees weigh when they are born?
• What is the manatee's gestation period?
• If a manatee is under weight does it affect their breeding, or cause them to get ill?
• How much do baby manatees weigh when they are born?
• Why does it take the manatees so long to reach the age where they can reproduce, particularly the males?
• How do manatees produce babies?
• If a mother manatee died leaving young, would another manatee take over the care for the young?

Ecology

Food

• How much do manatees eat in one day?
• Do manatee's ever eat plankton or small fish?
• If manatees are herbivores, why do they weigh so much?
• What is the main diet of the manatee?
• What do the manatees eat?
• How much manatees eat in one day?

Behavioral Adaptations: Migration

• Do manatees migrate to the same place every year?
• How fast can they swim?
• What time of year do manatees migrate?
• Where do the manatees migrate?
• How long does it take for the manatees to get to their destination?
• How do they get prepared for the long journey?
• How far can manatees swim in a day?
• How cold or hot can the water get before the manatee have to move to different waters? And how far are they capable of traveling in one week's time?
• What is the coldest temperature a manatee can handle?
• What time of year do manatees migrate?
• Why do the manatees need to migrate to warmer water when it starts getting colder?
• Where do the manatees migrate?
• How do they get prepared for the long journey?
• How long does it take for the manatees to get to there destination?
• Why can't manatees adapt well to cold water?
• Has anyone ever kept a manatee in a tank(like with some dolphins)? If so, were the manatees playful or cooperative?
• Do manatee's have any predators?
• How deep manatees can go in the water?
• Why are manatees attracted to the sound of motors?
• What do manatees do during a hurricane?

Conservation

• What affects the population of the Manatee, more pollution or boats?
• How is global warming affecting the migration and or living habits of the Manatee?
• Unfortunately humans kill manatees. Do they have any other predators?
• Are there any organizations or laws to help manatees from becoming extinct? Have their numbers improved over the last few years?
• What are the kinds and sizes of manatee boat scars? Are any scars curable or do they stay on the manatees forever? (Please include the depth of the boat scars.)
• What are the different types of speedboats that are dangerous to the manatees?
• Have scientists decided what killed so many manatee last year off the coast of Florida? Can anything be done to prevent such a large death rate this year or any other year?
• How many manatees are there left in the world?
• How many Manatees are killed each year?
• Which river in Florida has the highest population of manatees?
• Are there enough manatee sanctuaries? How do you feel about the attempt to close or limit some sanctuaries?
• During the summer and fall of 1996, a lot of manatees died in Florida. I heard that this decline was due mainly to disease. Is this true? If so, what was the disease?

Other

• Is the manatee a relative to any other animal?
• What do you think is the most fascinating thing you have uncovered about the manatee since you have been researching this creature ?
• Is it possible to teach manatees to do tricks? If yes, what tricks can they perform?
• How do people tell manatees apart?
• What do manatees do when you go near them when you are swimming?
• Is the Dugong Manatee a real manatee?
• Where did the word "manatee" come from?
• Why are manatees called "sea cows?"
• In terms of evolution, how long have manatees been around? Were they around with the dinosaurs?