Manatees are peaceful, sea-dwelling mammals. They have no natural predators and have a lifespan of 40 in the wild. The main reasons manatees die is because of the cold and their curiosity. Manatees are very friendly and approach any thing, even speedboats. Manatees would often die because of boat motors slicing their backs.
|
Manatees have very unique lungs. They are flattened and very long. They stretch along the back almost to the anus. The muscles of a manatee have little of the myoglobin (muscle hemoglobin) that is typical of the muscles of other diving mammals. This trait means that manatees cannot store as much oxygen as seals and dolphins, which is reflected in their relatively short (8-15 minute) and shallow (10-20 feet) dive. Their nostrils have a protective flap on top that prevents water from entering. They will go up, exhale and inhale and then go back underwater.