About Ask the Expert Answers From the Manatee Expert Special thanks Nancy Sadusky, Save the Manatee Club for providing her time and expertise in responding to your questions. Nancy Sadusky From Vermont Ferrisburgh Central School Ferrisburgh, VT Q. What is the AVERAGE age of manatees? Shane, Grade Six A. Manatees are probably capable of living long lives. In fact, it is thought that they can live 60 years or more. One manatee living in captivity is now over 50 years old. Because of the many perils in the wild, however, longevity is uncertain. In particular, recent research conducted at the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission's Florida Marine Research Institute shows cause for concern. The research revealed that few manatees were living past the age of 30 and the majority of animals died between the age of 0 and 10 years -- nowhere near their estimated life expectancy of 60 years. From: Florida Q: How do you tell the age of a manatee? A: Scientists believe that manatees are capable of living for 60 years or more. One manatee living in captivity, Snooty, is now over 50 years old. We know how old he is because he was born in captivity in 1948. Unless you know when a manatee is born, the only way to determine their age is by counting growth layer rings in their ear bones. Obviously this can only happen after a manatee has died. A Manatee Cow and her calf Credit: BPSM Q: We have been told that the male manatee will protect the cow and the calf. Does this mean that the cow and the calf are defenseless when their male is missing? A: Manatees do not form permanent pair bonds. During breeding, a single female, or cow, will be followed by a group of a dozen or more males, or bulls, forming a mating herd. The basic social unit among manatees is the female and her calf. The male manatee has no role in rearing or protecting the calf and tends to join other manatees primarily to mate (* Reynolds and Odell 83). Q: Have you observed young manatees left behind in the migration and how does it happen that mothers leave them behind? A: Manatee calves are dependent on their mothers for up to two years. Not only do mothers feed their calves, but they also teach them all the things they need to know to survive on their own. Calves who are separated from their mothers may get lost. For example, if a mother swims away while a calf is being petted by humans, the calf may not find his or her way back to the mother and could ultimately die without her. In recent years, dependent calf mortality has increased considerably. This may be due, in part, to mother and calf separation. For this reason, Save the Manatee Club discourages people from touching manatees and encourages them to observe manatees from a distance. Q: Do manatees have clear glands like alligators to see underwater? A: There has not been a lot of research on the ability of manatees to see underwater. However, they seem to be able to detect objects at distances of tens of meters (* Reynolds and Odell 43). Manatees have a nictitating membrane that can be drawn across their eyeball for protection. Q. We would like to know more about how the flippers (mitten like) work. We have seen the skeleton and observed the scoop like motion used to eat. We are curious about how the skeleton works inside the skin. Can the flipper grab? A: The bones in a manatee's flipper are similar to a human hand. The jointed "finger bones" of the flipper help the manatee move through the water, bring food to its mouth, and hold objects. In addition, three or four nails are found at the end of each flipper (* FWCC, Manatee Anatomy). Q: Would it be possible for us to meet one of the scientists and see one of the manatees we are tracking? A: Wouldn't that be interesting! However, I can't answer that question for you. That would be up to the researchers at the Sirenia Project, since they are tracking the manatees. From: Missouri Q: How are the manatees named? A: The manatees are named by the manatee researchers who are tracking them. For example, Ranger Wayne Hartley usually names the manatees who winter at Blue Spring State Park. From: New York Spinning Knife Blades (Click image for a closer look) Q: Is there a way for manatees not to be hurt or killed by passing speedboats? A. All types of boats that are going too fast are dangerous to manatees. Most manatees only travel about 3-5 mph hour (they can go up to 20 mph in short bursts), so any boat that is traveling faster than 15-20 mph is capable of injuring or killing a manatee. From: Texas Q: Why are manatees found in the waters of Florida yet not around Galveston even though both areas' water is warm? Q: Why do manatees migrate about a hundred miles to South Florida each winter when the temperature of the water where they begin is about the same? A: This should answer both of the questions above. Modern manatees evolved in the tropics and subtropics, so in spite of their size, they have very little body fat. They also have a very slow metabolism. These factors may account for their susceptibility to cold water. In the winter, generally November through March, manatees congregate at warm water sources, primarily in Florida, such as natural springs or warm water effluents of power plants. Water temperatures below 70 degrees (F) usually cause manatees to move into these warm water refuge areas. Q: How are manatees able to survive both freshwater and saltwater while most other organisms cannot? A: Manatees are mammals and so they surface to breathe air. Manatee intake of freshwater occurs while eating aquatic plants as well as drinking. Research suggests that manatees in saltwater do not need to drink freshwater for extended periods. This may explain why manatees can go so easily from fresh to saltwater environments. It also means that people do not need to give manatees water from hoses. Manatees can take of their own freshwater needs. Nancy Sadusky Communications Director Save the Manatee Club 500 N. Maitland Ave. Maitland, FL 32751 For more information or to Adopt-A-Manatee: 1-800-432-JOIN (5646) * Bibliography on those sources: MANATEE ANATOMY FACTS AND TRIVIA INFORMATION SHEET. Available from: Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission, Mail Station 245, 3900 Commonwealth Blvd, Tallahassee, FL 32399-3000. Reynolds III, John E. and Daniel K. Odell. MANATEES AND DUGONGS, Facts on File, Inc., New York: 1991. Copyright 2002 Journey North. All Rights Reserved. Please send all questions, comments, and suggestions to our feedback form