West Indian manatee

The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) or "sea cow" is a manatee. It is the largest living member of the order Sirenia (which also includes dugongs and the extinct Steller's sea cow).

The West Indian manatee is a different species from the Amazonian manatee (T. inunguis) and the African manatee (T. senegalensis). The West Indian manatee is in two subspecies, the Florida manatee (T. m. latirostris) and the Antillean or Caribbean manatee (T. m. manatus). New research shows that there may be three groups:

1. Florida and the Greater Antilles
2. Mexico, Central America and northern South America
3. Northeastern South America.

The Florida manatee and the Antillean manatee are endangered. Federal, state, private, and nonprofit organizations are working to protect these species from natural and human threats, such as collisions with boat propeller blades.

West Indian Manatee Media

• Skull of a West Indian manatee on display at The Museum of Osteology, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma

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  Skeleton of American manatee, Trichecus manatus Linnaeus, 1758, 3D model

• Manatee Florida.jpg

  Manatee from Crystal River, Florida

• Manatees at Haulover Canal.jpg

  Basking at Haulover Canal, Merritt Island National Wildlife Refuge, Florida

• Sculpture of Manatee.JPG

  Sculpture of manatee showing vibrissae

• Hpim0279.jpg

  All the hairs of the manatee may be vibrissae

• West Indian manatee Paraba Brazil.jpg

  Manatees in a conservation project in Brazilian northeastern coast

• Manatee Crossing Sign.jpg

  Manatee Crossing Sign from South Florida Museum

• West Indian manatee skeletons NC.jpg

  West Indian manatee skeletons on display at the North Carolina Museum of Natural Sciences in Raleigh, North Carolina

References

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