West Indian Manatee

Hello there! My name is Manny, and I’m a West Indian Manatee. It’s so nice to meet you. Some people have a funny nickname for me—they call me a 'sea cow'. Can you believe it? I think it’s because I’m big and gentle, and my favorite thing to do is eat yummy underwater plants. I don't moo like a cow, but I do love to graze. My home is in the warm, shallow waters of the ocean and rivers. It’s the perfect temperature for me, like a cozy bath all the time. I spend my days swimming slowly and peacefully, just floating along and enjoying the calm water. There’s no need to rush when you have such a beautiful home to explore. I love my peaceful life under the sea.

My day is very busy, but maybe not in the way you think. I spend a significant portion of my time feeding on seagrass and other aquatic vegetation. I am primarily an herbivore, which means I mainly eat plants, but I occasionally consume invertebrates and fish. And I have to eat a lot of them—sometimes for up to eight hours a day—to keep my big body full of energy. Now, I have a fun secret to share with you. My closest relatives on land are elephants. Isn't that amazing? We don't look exactly alike, but we are part of the same big family tree. When I'm not eating, I like to use my strong front flippers to 'walk' along the sea floor, searching for the tastiest greens. Even though I live in the water, I am a mammal, just like you. That means I can't breathe underwater. I have to swim up to the surface every few minutes to take a big breath of fresh air before I dive back down to my underwater world.

For a long time, my manatee family was in trouble. There weren't very many of us left, and we were considered 'endangered,' which is a very serious thing. It meant we were in danger of disappearing forever. But then, something wonderful happened. Kind people decided to help us. They worked hard to create safe places for us to live, where we could eat and have our babies without being bothered. They also taught boat drivers to be extra careful in the water to avoid hurting us. Because so many people cared, on April 5, 2017, we received some fantastic news. Our status was changed from 'endangered' to 'threatened'. This was a big step in the right direction. It shows that when people work together, they can make a huge difference for animals like me.

I want to finish my story by telling you about my very important job in the ocean. I’m like an underwater gardener. By munching on so much seagrass all day, I help keep the underwater meadows neat and healthy, just like a lawnmower keeps a yard tidy. This is important because it makes sure the waterways stay clear for boats and other animals. When the seagrass beds are healthy, it means that lots of other fish and sea creatures have a beautiful, safe place to live, too. I'm very proud that I get to help take care of my big ocean home for everyone to enjoy.