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The popularly called the sea cow is any of the species of large water animals in the genus Trichechus. There are three species of with T. inunguis found in the Amazon and Orinoco river systems; T. manatus is found in central Florida and along the Gulf of Mexico ....

Middle of Essay
.... live in small family groups sometimes up to herds of 15-20. After a gestation of up to 6 months, usually a single pinkish calf is born. Manatees ferquently communicate by muzzle to muzzle contact and when alarmed they emit chripy squeaks. The number of manatees has been reduced over the past several years due to heavy hunting for their hides, meat, and blubber oil. Some governments, including the United States, have placed the manatees under the endangered species list. One practical reason for this is that they have proved useful in clearin girrigation and transport channels clogged with aquatic plant life. There has also been an increase i ....