Manatees, large aquatic mammals, are widely recognized by their common moniker: “sea cows.” This nickname stems from shared characteristics with their terrestrial counterparts, including their physical attributes, feeding habits, and gentle disposition.
Their Physical Appearance
Manatees possess a distinctive physical form that contributes to their “cow-like” appearance. They have large, bulky, cylindrical bodies that taper to a paddle-shaped tail, making them appear rotund. Adult manatees typically range from 9 to 10 feet in length and can weigh between 800 to 1,200 pounds. Their skin is thick and wrinkled, often gray or grayish-brown, and sparsely covered with fine, bristle-like hairs known as vibrissae.
Their facial features further reinforce this resemblance. Manatees have relatively small, wide heads with a large, downward-pointing muzzle. Their upper lip is notably flexible and prehensile, capable of independent movement on each side, which aids in grasping vegetation. This flexible snout, along with small, widely spaced eyes and the absence of external ears, gives them a placid and gentle expression.
Diet and Grazing Habits
The feeding behavior of manatees strongly parallels that of cows, providing a significant reason for their “sea cow” nickname. Manatees are primarily herbivores, consuming almost exclusively plants. They spend a considerable portion of their day, often up to seven or eight hours, grazing on various aquatic vegetation. This constant foraging on underwater pastures is much like how land cows graze on grass in fields.
Manatees consume a substantial amount of vegetation daily, typically between 10% to 15% of their body weight, which can translate to 100 to 200 pounds of plants for an adult. They utilize their flexible, prehensile lips and front flippers to gather and guide plants into their mouths. Behind their lips, ridged pads and molars grind the fibrous plant material, an adaptation for processing their abrasive diet.
Their diet includes a wide array of freshwater and saltwater plants, such as:
- Water hyacinth
- Hydrilla
- Turtle grass
- Manatee grass
- Shoal grass
Gentle Nature and Movement
The calm disposition and unhurried movement of manatees further contribute to their “sea cow” association. Manatees are known for their gentle nature. They exhibit a non-aggressive demeanor, attributed to their lack of natural predators. This calm temperament allows them to coexist peacefully within their aquatic habitats.
Their locomotion is also characterized by slowness and deliberation. Manatees typically swim at speeds of about 3 to 5 miles per hour, though they can achieve short bursts of up to 15 or 20 miles per hour when necessary. This slow, lumbering pace is due to their massive size and low metabolic rate, adapted for their plant-based diet that requires less energy for hunting. They spend much of their time either feeding, resting, or slowly navigating through shallow waters, presenting an overall impression of unhurried contentment.