What is lamantini?

Manatees, also known as sea cows, are large aquatic mammals belonging to the order Sirenia. There are three species of manatees in the world: West Indian, West African, and Amazonian. The West Indian manatee is further divided into two subspecies: Florida and Antillean. The Antillean subspecies is found in the Caribbean Sea and Gulf of Mexico, while the Florida subspecies is found in the southeastern United States, particularly Florida.

The manatee is a grazer, feeding on up to 100 different types of aquatic and semi-aquatic plant species including sea grasses, algae, and mangrove leaves. They have no natural predators in the wild and can live up to 60 years. Manatees are very slow moving and are known for their gentle and friendly nature. When threatened, they have thick skin that can protect them from injury.

Manatees are facing many threats in the wild, including habitat loss, water pollution, and boat strikes. Due to their slow movement, manatees are often hit by boats and suffer from severe injuries or death. Conservation efforts are in place to protect manatee populations, including designated protected areas for their habitat, and public education campaigns to reduce boat strikes. Manatees are listed as vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN).