Manatees are mammals that live in warm fresh water and seawater. They belong to the group or Order Sirenia which includes both manatees and dugongs. The five species or types of animals in this order include the West Indian manatee, West African manatee, Amazonian manatee, dugong, and Steller's sea cow. Unfortunately, the Steller's sea cow is extinct. Heavy herbivores Manatees weigh about 1,200 pounds and measure around ten feet in length.
All manatees are herbivores, they eat plants.
In fact, they can eat up to 100 pounds or 10 to 15 percent of their body weight each day. Florida manatees, a subspecies of the West Indian manatee, dine on manatee grass, turtle grass, and water hyacinth. Molars A feeding manatee uses its front flippers and muscular upper lips to bring plants to its mouth. Because it has not front teeth, the manatee relies on the thick, ribbed pads in the front of its mouth to help break vegetation into small, chewable pieces. Manatees have an endless supply of molars.