Places include the southern United States, Mexico, Caribbean Islands, Central America, South America, East Africa, Australia, India, Philippines and other South Pacific Islands. Boy these guys get around! In fact, they get around by their powerful tails. They have been seen to go as fast as 15mph but usually travel at 2 to 6 mph or less.

Manatees tails are different from the Dugong. Dugongs have pointed tails while manatees have a paddle-shaped tails. Both of them are very powerful. They each have two strong arms in the front that help them to scoop up food and steer while swimming.

These animals are like big teddy bears of the water. They are kind, gentle and playful mammals and they breathe air like you and me. How long can you hold your breathe underwater? They can hold their breath almost 20 minutes. Manatees and dugongs are vegetarians and love their vegetables. They feed on yummy plants, algae and Crustacea like barnacles that grow on the plants.

These guys you don't want to bring home for dinner as they can eat up to 100 pounds of food in just one day! Eating all that food can make you grow very big. In fact, they can get as long as 13 feet and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. YIKES! That would break my scale at home!

Did you know these guys have been around since the time of the dinosaurs? For more than 60 million years, but if we are not careful they will be gone forever as with the case of the Stellar Sea Cow. It was killed off more than 230 years ago. Booo Hooo! Manatees are often hit by boaters so if you see one be careful.

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