Manatees are aquatic mammals that belong to a group of animals called Sirenia. This group also contains … Discover facts about manatees, including their habitat, conservation efforts, and legal protections in place to safeguard these gentle aquatic mammals. The West Indian manatee is a large herbivorous (plant-eating) marine mammal. There are two subspecies of West Indian manatees: the Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) and the … Manatees are large marine mammals with paddle-shaped tails and two flippers used for steering and feeding. Discover 12 fascinating facts. A manatee can move each side of its lip pads independently. This flexibility allowsthe manatee to "grab" aquatic plants and draw them into its mouth. The manatee uses its muscular prehensile upper lips … Manatees are sometimes called sea cows, and their languid pace lends merit to the comparison. Aquatic Life However, despite their massive bulk, they are graceful swimmers in coastal waters and ...