Manatees swim in the reflections of the TECO power plant.
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is believed to have evolved from a four-footed, plant-eating land mammal more than 60 million years ago. Its closest modern land relative is the elephant. The West Indian manatee belongs to the order Sirenia, which also includes the West African manatee, Amazonian manatee, the Pacific located dugong and the extinct Steller's sea cow. The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee.
Fossils of the present day manatee, as old as two-million years, and fossil ancestors of the dugong, as old as 45-million years, are found in Florida. These fossils are often found on dry land, in areas that were once shallow bays and estuaries, when sea levels were higher.
Manatees swim in the reflections of the TECO power plant.
The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is believed to have evolved from a four-footed, plant-eating land mammal more than 60 million years ago. Its closest modern land relative is the elephant. The West Indian manatee belongs to the order Sirenia, which also includes the West African manatee, Amazonian manatee, the Pacific located dugong and the extinct Steller's sea cow. The Florida manatee (Trichechus manatus latirostris) is a subspecies of the West Indian manatee.
Fossils of the present day manatee, as old as two-million years, and fossil ancestors of the dugong, as old as 45-million years, are found in Florida. These fossils are often found on dry land, in areas that were once shallow bays and estuaries, when sea levels were higher.