Manatee

VU Herbivore Rivers, Coastal Areas
400–590 kg
Weight
40–60 yrs
Lifespan
8 km/h
Top Speed
North, Central, and South America
Found In

With a lifespan of up to 40–60 years, the Manatee is among the longest-lived herbivore mammals. It inhabits rivers, coastal areas habitats in North, Central, and South America.

Size, Speed & Lifespan

Metric Manatee Herbivore Mammals Median Difference
Weight 495 kg 117.3 kg ↑ 322%
Height 350 cm
Top Speed 8 km/h 40 km/h ↓ 80%
Avg Speed 8 km/h
Lifespan 50 yrs 22.5 yrs ↑ 122%
Weight (kg)495avg 117.3Speed (km/h)8avg 40Lifespan (yrs)50avg 22.5

Range Across 3 Regions

Habitat: Rivers, Coastal Areas
Found In: North, Central, and South America
Coloration: Gray, Brown

Behavior

Natural Predators

Social Structure

Recorded as Solitary.

Reproduction & Lifespan

Gestation Period: 365–450 days
Offspring per Birth: 1
Lifespan: 40–60 years

Why It Is Vulnerable

VU Listed as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List — one of 34 species in this database with the same status.

Weight Rank Among Vulnerable Species

Ranked #9 of 34 by typical adult weight.

# Species Weight Status
7 Polar Bear Up to 700 kg VU
8 Basking Shark 400–700 kg VU
9 Manatee 400–590 kg VU
10 Dugong Up to 420 kg VU
11 Galápagos Tortoise Up to 417 kg VU
12 Galápagos Tortoise Up to 417 kg VU

Similar Herbivore mammals