They are mammals, hence they breathe air, have body hair and nurse their young. Manatees have a round, flattened paddle-shaped tail, and two front flippers. These flippers are used in steering while swimming, as well as for holding their food. While underwater, flaps close over their nostrils, to prevent water from interfering with breathing. The newborn calves range from 3-5 feet long, and beginning only several weeks after birth, they start eating plants, such as seagrasses and algae.
Manatees are completely harmless and nonaggressive and are often shy and reclusive.
The elephant is its closest relative. There are approximately 3,200 manatees remaining in the southeastern U.S. and they are concentrated in Florida year-round. During cold weather, manatees are attracted to the warm-water discharges of five FPL plants. Approximately 1,200 animals have been counted with aerial surveys at these facilities. Attracted by the warm water outflow from the plant, manatees have made the Riviera site one of their major gathering spots on Florida's east coast.