When Christopher Columbus first saw a West Indian manatee, he
thought it was a mermaid – you can decide for yourself if the
comparison is apt. November is Manatee Awareness Month in
Florida, so this week we’re checking in with the charismatic sea
cows – and if you tweet us what makes the manatee’s teeth unique
among mammals, you could win a prize. The West Indian manatee is
found in two distinct populations in the Caribbean and Florida,
where they live in warm, shallow water, migrating somewhat with
the seasons. They are tolerant of a range of saltiness, although
they need occasional access to freshwater to keep from being
dehydrated. Manatees are about 10 feet long and can live to be
about 50 years old. Despite their massive size, they are
surprisingly agile, even though they swim and steer with just
their tails. They are usually pale grey, although calves are
darker. Their skin is constantly flaking off, likely to reduce
algae. For the most part, manatees live alone, spending about
six to eight hours a day