The manatee

This "sea cow" lives in the shallow waters of the Caribbean, on the south-east coast of the United States, and in certain estuaries and rivers in French Guiana. Its cohabitation with humans is difficult, particularly due to collisions with boats and discharges of pollutants.

The manatee spends 6 to 8 hours a day eating, and can swallow up to 50 kg of food a day.

Its Latin name Trichechus comes from the hairs that cover its body and snout. These are sensory hairs that measure vibrations in the water.

The manatee is also characterised by the development of its upper lip, which is a real gripping organ.

Manatees are threatened by fatal injuries caused by propellers, nets and other fishing gear, the discharge of pollutants into the water and the proliferation of toxic algae. These environmental and human causes are compounded by late sexual maturity and a very long gestation period: around 12 months for a single calf.