Trichechus manatus (West Indian manatee)
Specimen Images | FW7151 |
| Class | Mammalia |
| Order | Sirenia |
| Family | Trichechidae |
| Genus | Trichechus |
| Species | Trichechus manatus |
| Common | West Indian manatee |
| Diet | Herbivorous |
| Habitat | Shallow coastal areas, also shallow rivers, estuaries, and canals. In the US: Florida winter, migrating as far north as Virginia and as far west as Louisiana in summer |
| Description | Thick but streamlined body; small, rounded head with a square, boxy snout, small eyes. Forelimbs flattened and webbed to form flippers with vestigial nails, tail is a single-lobed flipper. Face has numerous large and thick vibrissae. Lips divided right from left. Size: up to 4 m, 1000+ kg. |
| Skull Characteristics | Heavy skull, enlarged premaxillae. No incisors, no canines. Molariforms replacing from back. |
| Notes | Links to more species information:
Smithsonian Animal Diversity Web |