Animal Facts > Manatees

The manatee is a playful, gentle aquatic giant whose closest land relative is the elephant. The average adult manatee is just under ten feet long and weighs between 800 and 1200 pounds.

Manatees are completely herbivorous, consuming 10-15% of their body weight daily in aquatic vegetation.

Manatees have no natural enemies and if left alone can live 60 years or more. Because of diminishing habitat and continual human encroachment their numbers are declining, putting them on the endangered species lists.