- The manatee (Trichechus manatus) is a marine mammal native to tropical wetlands of the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, the southern Atlantic coast of the United States, and northern South America.
- Manatees are mostly herbivores, although they have been known to eat fish and small crustaceans.
- Some scientists say that a manatee's whiskers, or vibrissae, are as sensitive as human fingertips. Vibrissae help manatees navigate the muddy wetlands where they live.
- Manatees are about 1.2 meters (4 feet) long and weigh about 27 kilograms (60 pounds) at birth, and can grow to be 4 meters (13 feet) long and weigh more than 1,360 kilograms (3,000 pounds).
- One of the manatee's closest terrestrial (land-loving) relatives is the elephant. They both have tough skin, bristly body hair, flat teeth that are continually being replaced, and "toenails" on each forelimb.
- Female manatees often grow larger than males. Their greater size helps them support manatee calves.
