Manataees
What is another name for a manatee?
Sea cow
What type of animal are manatees based on their diet?
Herbivores
True or false: Manatees are a migratory species
True
What is one way you can help our ocean?
(Any valid points) Includes the following:
Conserve Water
Reduce Pollutants
Shop Wisely
Reduce Vehicle Pollution
Use Less Energy
Fish Responsibly
Practice Safe Boating
Respect Habitat
Volunteer
(oceanservice.noaa.gov)
What animals eat seagrass? List at least two
Manatees, sea turtles, dugongs, parrotfish, surgeonfish, sea urchins, etc.
What type of vertebrate are manatees classified as? Ex. Reptile
Mammal
Who are natural predators of manatees?
None
True or false: Manatees can hold their breath for up to 30 minutes underwater, but usually surface every few minutes for air.
False, they can hold their breath for about 20 minutes
In the U.S it is illegal to _ manatees in U.S. waters (multiple answers)
Harass, capture, kill, touch, chase, or feed
What percentage of the Earth's surface is covered by the ocean?
The ocean cover 71% (and rising) of the Earth's surface and contains 97% of the Earth’s water. (www.marinebio.org)
Who are manatees' closest relatives?
Dugongs and elephants
What is the average life span of a manatee?
50-60 years
What is a baby manatee called?
A calf
Why are manatees important in maintaining a healthy ecosystem?
They eat a lot of sea grass. By doing so, they keep the grass short, which helps maintain the health of the sea grass beds (oceantoday.noaa.gov)
Why are sharks important in the ocean?
They are apex predators that regulate many marine populations. They also indirectly help maintain seagrass beds and coral reefs.
How do manatees communicate?
Vocalizations such as squeaks, chirps, whistles, and grunts
How many species of manatee are there?
Three. The West Indian manatee, West African manatee, and the Amazonian manatee
Describe the preferred conditions for a manatees' habitat
Warm, shallow waters of marine, brackish, and freshwater environments like coastal areas, rivers, bays, and estuaries with submerged aquatic vegetation for food (sea grass beds)
What are the two main threats to the manatee population?
Habitat loss and boat and ship collisions (human activities)
What is the Earth's longest mountain range?
The Mid-Ocean Ridge
Christopher Columbus in 1492, thought that a manatee he saw was a _?
Mermaid
Name an area where West Indian manatees are found
Southeastern U.S (Florida!), the Caribbean, the West Indies, and the northern coasts of Central and South America
What is the gestation period of manatees? (How long are they pregnant for)
12-14 months
Marine Mammal Protection Act, Endangered Species Act, and by Florida's own Manatee Sanctuary Act
How many accepted marine species are there? (Broad estimate is accepted)
According to World Register of Marine Species (WoRMS) there are currently 243,613 accepted marine species as of 3/8/2025