The ManateeThe Manatee

By:By:

Lindsey MarksLindsey Marks

IntroductionIntroduction

• Do cows really live in the sea? They Do cows really live in the sea? They do! The manatee. This is a great do! The manatee. This is a great animal, and if you don’t know much animal, and if you don’t know much about it, this might be your new best about it, this might be your new best friend.friend.

What does it eat?What does it eat?

Mmmmmhhh! You are Mmmmmhhh! You are going to discover what they going to discover what they eat! The manatee is a eat! The manatee is a herbivore or a vegetarian. What herbivore or a vegetarian. What these animals eat include… these animals eat include… manatee grass, turtle grass, manatee grass, turtle grass, hydrilla, water hyacinth, and hydrilla, water hyacinth, and water lettuce. This mammal water lettuce. This mammal weighs from 1,000 pounds to weighs from 1,000 pounds to 3,000 pounds. This herbivore 3,000 pounds. This herbivore can eat up to 200 pounds of can eat up to 200 pounds of plants per day. A manatee does plants per day. A manatee does not hunt any other animals. not hunt any other animals. We communicate, so manatees We communicate, so manatees must communicate also.must communicate also.

How does it communicate?How does it communicate?

Do manatees communicate like us? Well, Do manatees communicate like us? Well, they sure don’t. Manatee’s make emit sounds, they sure don’t. Manatee’s make emit sounds, squeak, chirp and whistle. The squeaks will squeak, chirp and whistle. The squeaks will change while angry or, mad. This way of change while angry or, mad. This way of communicating is amazing. When a boater is communicating is amazing. When a boater is near, it will scream just like a human. Also, when near, it will scream just like a human. Also, when it is sleeping it grunts like a pig. Calfs have weird it is sleeping it grunts like a pig. Calfs have weird communication. When a calf can’t find it’s mother communication. When a calf can’t find it’s mother they cry loudly until they get a response. Calf’s they cry loudly until they get a response. Calf’s and their mothers are the only manatee’s that and their mothers are the only manatee’s that are loud. Just a couple more stops until we are are loud. Just a couple more stops until we are done.done.

What does it look like?What does it look like?

What resembles the walrus? The manateee! What resembles the walrus? The manateee! Now, you will learn about what it looks like. This type Now, you will learn about what it looks like. This type of mammal has grey-brown spongy skin. The adult of mammal has grey-brown spongy skin. The adult has live plants growing on it’s back. When the calf is has live plants growing on it’s back. When the calf is born, it is bigger than most 1born, it is bigger than most 1stst graders. Also when the graders. Also when the calf is born it is Grey and White. There is no plants on calf is born it is Grey and White. There is no plants on a calf’s back. We still haven’t discovered where they a calf’s back. We still haven’t discovered where they live.live.

What is it’s habitat?What is it’s habitat?

Next on our journey we will meet them. Next on our journey we will meet them. Did you know that they migrate? In the Did you know that they migrate? In the winter, they travel to Florida. Summer winter, they travel to Florida. Summer Sightings include, Alabama, South Carolina, Sightings include, Alabama, South Carolina, Virginia, Texas, and Georgia. This amazing Virginia, Texas, and Georgia. This amazing critter can live in fresh, salt or brackish critter can live in fresh, salt or brackish water. These animals are also found in the water. These animals are also found in the West Indies or the Bahama’s. The average West Indies or the Bahama’s. The average speed for the manatee is 3-5 miles per hour. speed for the manatee is 3-5 miles per hour. Let’s learn some amazing things.Let’s learn some amazing things.

Fun FactsFun Facts

– Fun Facts! Here are some sweet Fun Facts! Here are some sweet things. When the early sails discovered things. When the early sails discovered the manatee, it was a mermaid. The the manatee, it was a mermaid. The manatee floats upside down. Like dogs, manatee floats upside down. Like dogs, manatee’s love to be pet and scratched. manatee’s love to be pet and scratched. Now it is time to say bye.Now it is time to say bye.

ConclusionConclusion

• Finally, you are an expert on this Finally, you are an expert on this animal. Would you maybe write a animal. Would you maybe write a report about the manatee? Manatees report about the manatee? Manatees Rock!Rock!

ResourcesResources

• Manatee’s By: Frank StaubManatee’s By: Frank Staub

• The Manatee By: The Silverstein’s The Manatee By: The Silverstein’s and Nun’sand Nun’s

• www.homesafe.comwww.homesafe.com

• www.nationalgeographic.comwww.nationalgeographic.com

• www.seaworld.comwww.seaworld.com

• www.google.comwww.google.com