They often choose feeding sites located behind barrier islands to avoid currents. They eat many different kinds of plants, but they avoid plants like the spatterdock that taste bitter. The female West Indian manatee breeds at 9 years of age. Its gestation period is about 13 months. It usually produces one calf with each pregnancy, and birth intervals are from 3 to 5 years.
Calves remain dependent on their mothers for up to two years.
Behavior The West Indian manatee has a very simple behavior pattern. They have not developed complex behaviors to obtain food or to protect themselves from other elements. They have few natural enemies, and they defend themselves merely by swimming away. The West Indian Manatee has been known to live in both freshwater and marine habitats. This species of manatee can be found swimming in both muddy and clear water.