1. Manatees are marine mammals and breathe air through their nostrils.
2. Manatees belong to an order of marine mammals called the Sirenians. Dugongs are the other member of this family. Stellar sea cows were also a member of this family, but they were hunted to extinction within 27 years of their discovery.
3. Manatees can weigh up to 2,000 pounds.
4. Manatees closest modern relative is the elephant. Evidence of this relationship is easy to spot – both animals have three to four fingernails.
5. Manatees are typically pretty slow, but, can swim up to 20 mph.
6. There are four species of manatees: the West Indian Manatee, the Florida Manatee (technically a subspecies of the West Indian species), the Amazonian Manatee and the West African Manatee.
7. Manatees are credited for being the basis for the mermaid legend.
8. Manatees are herbivores.
9. Manatees can live up to 60 years old.
10. Manatees have no natural predators, but, they are peril. Find out more about their plight at Save the Manatees.

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