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Manny T is
a manatee also called a "sea cow", which
is the distant relative of the elephant. Manatees
live in shallow, calm rivers, estuaries, saltwater
bays, canals, and coastal areas. Manatees move
from fresh to salt water with no problem. The
Florida manatee frequents most areas of Florida.
During the summer months a few travel as far north
as Virginia. Full-grown can grow to be as large
as 3,500 pounds and 13 feet. Manatees can hold
their breath for approximately 20 minutes. They
are slow moving mammals that swim the water's
surface where algae are abundant making the manatee's
back ideal for algae to grow. The algae acts like
sun-block for manatees. A baby manatee is called
a calf.
Manatees may not look like mermaids
to us, but many years ago sailors mistook manatees
for legendary mermaids.
*Many manatees are injured by
boats and by becoming tangled in discarded fishing
line so please throw your fishing line in the
trash not the ocean and watch out for them while
boating.
*Polarized sunglasses help you
see into the water.
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