Manatees

1.   The manatee is related to another sea mammal, the dugong. The animals look and behave a lot alike.

2.   There are three kinds of manatees, and they all look and behave alike. All three kinds live in warm waters.

3.   Manatees surface for air every few minutes, although they can stay underwater for up to 15 minutes.

4.   Manatees push food toward their mouths with whiskers on their upper lips.

5.   Manatees help clear plant-clogged waterways by eating the plants that live there.

6.   Manatee calves are born underwater. The mother helps the calf come up immediately to breathe air.

7.   Usually the calf can swim when it's just one hour old!

8.   After a few months, the calf starts grazing, though it still receives milk from its mother.

9.   Calves often play with other manatees, even embracing with their flippers.

10.   Manatees' skin is thick and wrinkled but very sensitive.