 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
 |
Answers From the Manatee Expert
Special thanks to Nancy Sadusky, Save the Manatee Club, for providing her
time and expertise in responding to your questions.
From: WISCONSIN
Lincoln-Erdman Elementary
hhansen@sheboygan.k12.wi.us
Q. Do manatees migrate to the same place every year? From Kelsey Wieneke
A. It has been documented that many manatees have preferred habitats that
they return to year after year. However, just like humans, manatees have individual
behavior. Some years they may choose to visit a different warm water refuge in the
winter.
|
|
|
Photo: USFWS |
A. Actually, manatees can turn their whole body by using their flippers.
Q. Is the manatee a relative to any other animal? From Lori Yang
A. The manatee's closest land relatives are the elephant and a small rat-like creature called a hydrax. West Indian manatees (found in Florida) are also related to West African manatees, Amazonian manatees, and dugongs.
Q. How fast can a manatee swim?
A. On average, most manatees swim about 3 to 5 miles per hour. However, they have been known to swim up to 20 miles per hour in short bursts.
Q. How long do they live? From Kyle Decker
A. Researchers believe that manatees can live 60 years or more.
From: WISCONSIN
Platteville
upton@platteville.k12.wi.us
Q. What do you think is the most fascinating thing you have uncovered about the manatee since you have been researching this creature ?
A. Two things are very interesting about manatees:
1) they are the only aquatic mammals that are herbivores, and
2) of all the mammals in the world, manatees and sloths are the only mammals with 6 cervical (neck) vertebrae. All other mammals (even giraffes!) have 7 cervical vertebrae.
From: MINNESOTA
Creek Valley Elementary School
terickso@edina.k12.mn.us
Q. Did mantees walk on land long ago? From Michael
A. Scientists believe that manatees evolved from a wading, plant-eating animal.
|
|
|
Photo: USFWS |
Scott Young Public School
kevin.adams-syps@fc.vcbe.edu.on.ca
Q. What's the largest number of babies a manatee has ever had? From Sarah, Emily & Stephanie
A. Scientists believe that only one manatee calf is born every two to five years, twins are rare.
Q. What's the oldest a manatee has ever lived? From Sarah, Emily & Stephanie
A. A manatee named Snooty is now over 50 years old.
Q. How do they mate? From Sarah, Emily & Stephanie
A. Manatees do not form permanent pair bonds. During breeding, a single female will be followed by a group of a dozen or more males, forming what is called a mating herd. They appear to breed at random during this time. Breeding and birth may occur at any time during the year, but there appears to be a slight spring calving peak.
Nancy
Nancy Sadusky
Communications Director
Save the Manatee Club
500 N. Maitland Ave.Maitland, FL 327511
1-800-432-JOIN (5646)
Visit the Save The Manatee Club Web Site
Related Resources
Copyright 1999 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form
 |
|
|
|
|
|
|
