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West Indian Manatee
Trichechus manatus

Location

Crystal River, FL, USA

Date

11/01/2015

Description

The West Indian manatee or "sea cow", also known as the North American manatee, is the largest surviving member of aquatic mammals. It is further divided into two subspecies, the Florida manatee and the Antillean or Caribbean manatee, based on genetic and morphological studies. Manatees are obligate herbivores, have developed vocal communication abilities, and are covered in highly sensitive vibrissae that are used for feeding and navigation. During inbreeding season, several males form mating herds around an individual female; on average, one calf is born to a female manatee every two to three years.

Photo Link

https://www.instagram.com/p/BOvHxtdjRM1/

Learn More

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/West_Indian_manatee
Octavio Aburto
Professional photographer associated at the iLCP and a Associate Professor at Scripps Institution of Oceanography
Learn more about Octavio Aburto.

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