In The Wild
by Bob Thomas

If you’re ever traveling the lake or walking her shores and you see a really large grey blob moving about, you just might have a Manatee (Trichechus manatus). These amorphous, peaceful marine critters belong to the mammalian Order Sirenia (it is believed that the sirens of sea lore may have been some member of this group). Their nearest relatives are the West African Manatee, the Amazonian Manatee, and the Dugong of the Indo-Pacific. Another species, Steller’s Sea Cow, native to far northern waters, was hunted to extinction by the mid-1700s.

Manatees and their kin are more related to elephants than to other marine mammals. Their teeth and the way they are replaced is the evidence that scientists use for this strange association.

Our manatee species gets about 10-12 feet long and may weight up to about 1,500 pounds. Though we consider them marine, they often move into freshwater rivers and associated lakes, and may even require it for unknown reasons.

Manatees are tropical animals, and are thus susceptible to cold weather. We normally associate manatees with coastal Florida, where they are most abundant in the United States. Most summers, one or a few will move along the Gulf coast and enter the Lake Pontchartrain area. Though not considered regulars, their sitings are not unusual – but are exciting none-the-less. They may be seen during the summer months in canals around coastal developments in Slidell or New Orleans, or as far west as the LaBranche Wetlands.

They are totally herbivorous, and move slowly and deliberately. They are much beloved and always cause a stir of excitement when people see them lumbering along. Floridians often report standing in their boats, tied to shore, and feeling the boat tilt to the side as a manatee scratches its back on the boat’s keel.

Manatees are very social, often traveling in groups. They are usually very quiet, but may emit squeals if excited or scared. They often caress one another, indicating that social contact is important.

The females (cows) give birth to a 70 pound, 4 foot long baby every three years. Gestation is 12 months, and the babies suckle from teats under the mother’s pectoral flippers.

As in all marine mammals, manatees propel themselves by moving their rounded, flat tails up and down.

They are sometimes easily seen in clear water, and are usually noticed when they surface for a breath of air, then roll back down, exposing the broad, grey back.

As is true of many large, slow moving animals, manatees are always facing danger. All populations are either threatened or endangered, and are protected by their governments. In the past, they were eaten by many native peoples. Expanding coastal communities have taken their former habitat, and they have been affected by runoff from human endeavors. Most dangerous, however, is the number and speed of boats in and around their favored habitats. Since they are slow moving and air breathing, they are often hit by speeding boats that are unaware of their presence. Many of the animals bear scars across their backs from being hit, and quite a number are lost annually due to fatal injuries.

Because manatees have such a gentle demeanor, and look soft and cuddly, people are naturally drawn to them. Keep your eyes out when visiting Lake Pontchartrain during the summer. You might just get lucky and see one of these wonders of nature.

Published in In The Wild, Louisiana Levnt Magazine, June 1, 2005.