Manatees: Florida's Gentle Giants
Manatees: Florida's Gentle Giants
Have you ever seen a creature that looks like a mix between a seal and a walrus, but lives in warm water? That's probably a manatee! These gentle giants are found in Florida's rivers, springs, and coastal waters. Let's dive in and learn more about them!
What are Manatees?
Manatees, also known as sea cows, are large, plant-eating marine mammals. They are gray or brown in color and have thick, wrinkled skin. They use their flippers to steer and their flat, paddle-shaped tail to move through the water. Adult manatees can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh over 3,000 pounds! That's as big as a small car!
Where Do Manatees Live?
Florida manatees are usually found in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, saltwater bays, and coastal areas of the southeastern United States. They prefer warm water, so during the colder months, they gather in warm springs or near power plants that release warm water.
What Do Manatees Eat?
Manatees are herbivores, which means they only eat plants. They munch on seagrass, water hyacinth, and other aquatic plants. A single manatee can eat up to 10% of its body weight in plants each day! That's like a kid eating 10 big pizzas every day!
Why are Manatees Endangered?
- Endangered Species:
- A type of animal that is in danger of disappearing forever.
- estuaries:
- Bodies of water where freshwater from rivers mixes with salty ocean water.
- aquatic:
- Living or growing in water.
- habitat:
- The natural home or place where a plant or animal lives.
- marine mammals:
- Warm-blooded animals that live in or near water, breathe air, and feed milk to their young.
- herbivores:
- Animals that feed entirely on plants rather than meat.
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Preview questions from this passageShowHide
- 1What is another name for manatees?
- 2Where do Florida manatees usually live?
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About this informational passage for Upper Elementary
âManatees: Florida's Gentle Giantsâ is a informational reading passage about Marine Mammals, written for Upper Elementary. It takes about 2 minutes to read (372 words) and comes with an interactive quiz and a printable worksheet with comprehension questions and an answer key.