Manatees spend most of the day eating and resting. They also travel, hang out with other manatees, and investigate objects.

Manatees have a paddle-shaped tail and two front flippers. The flippers have three to four nails on them.

Manatees are herbivores. They eat only plants.

Manatees have strong, flexible lips to grab plants. They also use their flippers to push plants into their mouths.

Manatees must swim to the water's surface to breathe air. But they can hold their breath underwater for up to 20 minutes when resting. Manatees breathe through their nostrils, which are on top of their snout.

Manatees live in rivers, bays, canals, estuaries, and coastal areas. They live in freshwater and saltwater.

Manatees are agile swimmers. They can do somersaults, roll, and swim upside down in the water.

Newborn manatees are about four feet long—the length of two newborn human babies.

Adult manatees are about 10 feet long—the length of two human grownups.