Manatee calves are born under-water. Each calf must surface immediately to breathe air. The mother helps her newborn reach the surface for the first time. Usually the calf can swim alone within one hour. After a few months, a calf begins to graze, though it still drinks milk from its mother.
Calves often play with other manatees.
They squeak, squeal, and scream. They nuzzle, nibble, and nudge one another. They even embrace with their flippers. Manatees probably recognize each other by the sounds they make and by touch. Their skin is thick and wrinkled, but very sensitive.