The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is also known as a sea cow or American manatee and is found in the shallow, slow-moving rivers and coastal areas primarily of Florida, but it can be found as far north as Massachusetts and as far west as Texas in the summer.
http://www.answers.com/Q/How_does_the_West_Indian_manatee_find_shelter
One of the 3 manatee species in the world, Trichechus inunguis is a river dweller that can reach 2.8 m in length and weigh half a ton. Manatees are found from the mouth of the Amazon River to the upper reaches of the tributaries of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Peru.
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/species/profiles/mammals/amazon_manatee/
Habitat and Range: Manatees can be found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas — particularly where seagrass beds or freshwater vegetation flourish. Manatees are a migratory species. Within the United States, they are concentrated in Florida in the winter.
http://www.savethemanatee.org/manfcts.htm
Belize is home to a sub-species of the West Indian manatee, one of four living species of manatees. The other three are the West African manatee, the Amazonian manatee and the dugong. The West Indian manatee is divided into two species, Florida & Antillean. Manatees thrive in warm waters due to its slow metabolism.
http://ambergriscaye.com/critters/manatee.html
Manatees are found from the mouth of the Amazon River to the upper reaches of the tributaries of Brazil, Colombia, Ecuador, Guyana and Peru. The range of the Amazon manatee is marked in red.
http://wwf.panda.org/about_our_earth/species/profiles/mammals/amazon_manatee/
Seagrass beds and freshwater submerged aquatic vegetation are important feeding sites for manatees. Manatees can eat 10 - 15% of their body weight in vegetation daily. A 453-kilogram (1,000-pound) manatee, for example, would probably eat between 45-68 kilograms (100 - 150 pounds) of food a day.
http://www.savethemanatee.org/faqfood.htm
Habitat and Range: Manatees can be found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas — particularly where seagrass beds or freshwater vegetation flourish. Manatees are a migratory species.
http://www.savethemanatee.org/manfcts.htm
Manatees can be found in the warm waters of shallow rivers, bays, estuaries and coastal waters. Rarely do individuals venture into waters below 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
http://www.defenders.org/florida-manatee/basic-facts
A. It is estimated that a manatee can eat about 10-15% of their body weight in vegetation daily. So, for example, a 453-kilogram (1,000-pound) manatee would probably eat between 45-68 kilograms (100-150 pounds) of food a day! Q. Where are manatees found in the food chain? A. Manatees are primary feeders (plant-eaters).
http://www.savethemanatee.org/faqfood.htm
In Belize, the Antillean manatee can be found in rivers, lagoons, estuaries, and coastal areas. Like most manatees, these creatures prefer shallow water that is two to six meters deep and are rarely found in deeper water. Because they have a very slow metabolism, they can only survive in warm waters.
http://ambergriscaye.com/critters/manatee.html
where do manatees find shealter
Manatees find shealter in North as Massachusetts and as far west as Texas in the summer.