Amazonian Manatee: The Friendliest Giants of the River!

The Amazonian manatee, a huge but docile creature, gracefully cruises among the rivers of South America. The creatures are manatees, or sea cows that typically attract a friendly reputation. Rounded body, paddle-like flippers and large tail* They have greyish brown skin and they can be up to 10 feet long.

Habitat and Behavior

Amazonian manatees: Occur in the Amazon River and its many tributaries, várzea channels (channels with water all year that run through herbaceous only type vegetation) streams/lakes. Their favorite type of root is a delicious, shallow drooping along the margins at various locations. Manatees are herbivorous, meaning they consume only plants. They consume a significant amount of grasses, leaves and water plants. An adult manatee may eat up to 100 pounds of food in one day!

They usually are placid and swim slowly. They do not hurry, and can remain under water for fifteen to twenty five minutes at a time. Manatees can be partially seen on the surface of water with their nose out while they swim. They are gregarious by nature and swim in small groups.

Friendliness and Interaction

One of the main attributes that makes amazonian manatees so great is their outgoing demeanor. They are often called gentle giants, by those who see them. Non threatening to humans and have been known to approach vessels. They can sometimes get pretty close to humans who are swimming in the rivers, mainly out of curiosity. This is a gift for anybody lucky enough to witness these incredible animals in real life.

Conservation and Protection

Unfortunately, the Amazonian manatee suffers from numerous threats. Unfortunately their numbers are decreasing due to agriculture and capture for human consumption. It is everyone’s responsibility to preserve these gorgeous species and their habitats. Groups are doing their best to protect the manatee and ensure they can continue to live freely in their rivers, providing future generations with a chance of seeing them too.

Finally, the Amazonian manatee is truly one of a kind. They are friendly, harmless creatures who play a vital role in the Amazon ecosystem. We will do our best to take care of them!