By altering the manatee's natural behavior, you may create the likelihood of danger that is bad for the animal and against the law. Also, don't feed manatees or give them water. The West Indian Manatee is a large gray-brown aquatic mammal. The head and face are wrinkled and the snout has stiff whiskers. Adults have been known to reach lengths of over 13 feet and weights of over 3,000 pounds.
Manatees spend most of their time feeding and resting.
They graze for food along rivers, coastal bottoms and at the water's surface. Manatees have been known to hold their breath for as long as 20 minutes, but they usually surface about every five minutes to breathe. The West Indian Manatee is a large gray-brown aquatic mammal. The head and face are wrinkled and the snout has stiff whiskers. Adults have been known to reach lengths of over 13 feet and weights of over 3,000 pounds.