Quiz

1. Why is it not a necessary for manatees to be fast swimmers?

2. Research shows that manatees renew up to _____ % of the air in their lungs in a single breath.

3. True or False: Manatees are in the Order Trichechidae.

4. What two Acts passed in 1972 and 1973 prohibited the hunting, capturing, killing or harassing manatees?

5. On average, a West Indian manatee calf at birth weighs between _____ lbs and is approximately _____ ft long.

6. Explain how manatees replace worn down teeth.

7. At what water temperature must manatees never swim under and why?

8. Which species of manatee is the smallest?

9. Which animal the Order Sirenia is most closely related to the Stellar Sea Cow?

10. What species of manatee is the least studied and why?

11. For what reason is there typically a discoloration on the backs of manatees.

12. How long does the manatee gestation period last?

13. True False: Manatees are Endangered

 

 

 

 

Answers:

1. Because of their size, naturally manatees have no natural predators so they have no real need to be fast swimmers.

2. 90%

3. False: Order Sirenia

4. The Marine Mammal Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973

5. 60 - 70 lbs; 4 - 4.5 ft

6. As their teeth wear down by grit, sand, and sediment which may be stuck on the vegetation eaten by manatees, they are replaced by teeth that grow in from behind.

7. 68 degrees F; the manatees stop eating and often suffer cold stress and die.

8. Amazonian Manatee

9. Dugong

10. West African Manatee; due to the political unrest in Africa and lack of funds.

11. Because they move so slow, organisms like algea tend to grow on the backs of manatees in order to receive direct sunlight.

12. 12 months

13. False