West Indian Manatee
Gentle giants of warm coastal waters, the West Indian manatee navigates with whiskers and grazes on underwater plants.
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), also known as the North American manatee, is a large, aquatic mammal native to warm coastal areas of the Caribbean, from the Eastern United States to northern Brazil. It is divided into two subspecies, the Florida manatee (T. m. latirostris) in the United States and the Antillean manatee (T. m. manatus) in the Caribbean, both endangered. It is the largest living member of the sirenians (order Sirenia).
- Scientific Name
- Trichechus manatus
- Primary Diet
- Seagrasses and freshwater aquatic plants
- Average Length
- Up to 4.5 meters (13 feet)
- Conservation Status
- Vulnerable
Lore & Background
In the 1970s, the West Indian manatee was listed as endangered in the United States under the Endangered Species Act, when there were only several hundred left. In 2017, the United States changed the classification to threatened, citing a substantial increase in the total population. In 2025, a petition began by the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service to reinstate them as endangered.
In Their Own Story
In the warm, shallow waters of the Caribbean and Gulf Coast, a West Indian manatee glides slowly through seagrass meadows. It feeds on seagrass and freshwater aquatic plants, consuming large quantities daily. As a fully aquatic mammal, it never leaves the water, surfacing regularly to breathe. It is a member of the family Trichechidae, one of three species of manatees. The manatee's presence is a sign of healthy seagrass ecosystems, which it helps maintain by grazing. However, it faces threats from boat collisions, habitat degradation, and bycatch in fisheries. Conservation efforts are critical, as the species is currently listed as Vulnerable.
Reader's Guide
Manatees are herbivores, feeding on underwater plants. They use highly sensitive whiskers (vibrissae) for feeding and navigation. They have developed vocal communication abilities. In breeding season, several males form mating herds around an individual female; on average, one calf is born every two to three years. Manatees are estimated to live 50 years or more in the wild. They inhabit mostly shallow coastal areas, including rivers and estuaries, and can withstand large changes in salinity. They are limited to warm waters; temperatures below approximately 20 °C (68 °F) increase the risk of cold-induced stress or mortality.
Did You Know?
- The largest individual on record weighed 1,655 kg (3,649 lb) and measured 4.6 m (15 ft) long.
- A captive Florida manatee named Snooty lived for 69 years (1948–2017).
- A captive manatee named Romeo, held at the Gulfarium Marine Adventure Park in Fort Walton Beach, was recognized as the world record holder at 71 years of age in February 2026.
- Manatees have a prehensile snout, like their relative the elephant, for grabbing vegetation.
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