Gentle and solitary, West Indian manatees (Trichechus manatus) wander through both fresh and salt water. They keep to warm regions because they have no blubber, which insulates other marine mammals living in colder climates. Manatees also lack hind limbs needed to maneuver on land; born in water, they remain there throughout their lives.

Closest Relatives Together with dugongs, manatees belong to the order Sirenia. They resemble seals, but Sirenians are actually more closely related to hyraxes and elephants.

Most marine mammals eat fish or invertebrates, but manatees feed only on sea grass and other plants growing in shallow water. Grazing and resting just below the surface, these "sea cows" come up for air every few minutes.

CONSERVATION: Manatees and motor boats
Many of Florida's manatees show scars from run-ins with propeller blades and keels of powerboats. They move aside when they detect approaching boats, but they have little chance of dodging one moving at high speed. Propeller guards provide some protection, and "no wake" zones throughout Florida's waterways caution boaters to slow down so they can avoid maiming or even killing manatees.