The West indian Manatee is a large, gray-brown aquatic mammal. The upper part of its body has two small forelimbs with 3 to 4 nails on each flipper. The head and face are wrinkled, and the snout has whiskers. Adults have been known to reach lenghts of over 13 feet, and weights of over 3,000 lbs. Calves are 3 to 4 feet long and 60 to 70 lbs. at birth.
Manatees spend most of their time feeding and resting.
They graze for food along rivers, coastal bottoms and the water's surface. Manatees have been known to hold their breath for as long as 20 minutes, but they usually surface about every 5 minutes to breathe. Wear polarized glasses while operating a boat. Stay in the center of the marked channel. Manatess have shown signs that they are avoiding heavy boat traffic areas.