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.
Physical Characteristics & Habitat
Size & Speed
| 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 | — | — |
Habitat & Distribution
The Manatee inhabits rivers, coastal areas habitats. It can be found in North, Central, and South America.
Typical coloring: Gray, Brown.
Diet & Predators
Behavior & Reproduction
Social Structure
The Manatee is a solitary species belonging to the Trichechidae family.
Reproduction
Conservation & Comparison
IUCN Conservation Status
VU The Manatee is classified as Vulnerable. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.
Species Comparison
Among 50 herbivore mammals, the Manatee’s weight of 400–590 kg is significantly higher than the group median of 117.3 kg.
Weight rank: #9 of 34 Vulnerable species.
| # | Species | Weight | Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Sperm Whale | Up to 57000 kg | VU |
| 2 | African Elephant | 2700–6000 kg | VU |
| 3 | Great White Shark | Up to 2268 kg | VU |
| 4 | Hippopotamus | 1300–3200 kg | VU |
| 5 | Gaur | 600–1300 kg | VU |
Related Species
How much does a Manatee weigh?
A Manatee typically weighs 400–590 kg, which is exceptionally high compared to the median of 117.3 kg among herbivore mammals.
What is the conservation status of the Manatee?
The Manatee is classified as “Vulnerable”. There are 34 species with the same status in our database.
Where does the Manatee live?
The Manatee is found in North, Central, and South America, in rivers, coastal areas habitats.
How does the Manatee reproduce?
The Manatee has a gestation period of 365–450 days and typically produces 1 offspring per birth.
Data Sources: IUCN, WWF, National Geographic, Smithsonian Institution.
Last Updated: April 10, 2026