Page 27 - Highlights for Children (December 2017)

Nature Watch

Manatee

By Peter Friederici

DID YOU KNOW?
The manatee is closely
related to another big,
gray mammal: the
elephant. But unlike
its land-dwelling
relative, the manatee
is a sea creature.
The West Indian
manatee lives in
warm, shallow coastal
waters and rivers from
Florida to Brazil. It
may be seen farther
north when waters
are warm.
WARM UP about 10 feet long and
The manatee feeds
on sea grass and other
Unlike many marine
plants. An adult manatee—
mammals, manatees can’t
live in cold water. They don’t
have thick, insulating fat, as some
weighing as much as the
whales do. When water temperatures pro football team—can eat
entire defensive line of a
drop, manatees may move farther
south or gather in warm water
80 pounds of plants each day.
near springs or power plants.
A manatee uses its
Where do animals that live upper lip pads to pull
near you find shelter from
hot and cold temperatures? plants into its mouth.
How might they find
An elephant does this
protected spots?
with its trunk.

Photo by imageBROKER/Alamy Stock Photo, DECEMBER 2017 27
inset by WaterFrame/Alamy Stock Photo.