Have you heard of the Amazonian manatee? This animal, which despite receiving the name fish, is a mammal that has many interesting characteristics and, unfortunately, runs the risk of becoming extinct. Are we going to learn more about this animal?
O Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis) is an animal that belongs to the order Sirenia and lives in the fresh waters of the Amazon basin. This order received its name thanks to the singing of these animals, which made many associate it with the legend of the mermaids.
When compared to other manatees, it is the smallest, reaching about three meters in length and weighing more than 400 kg. His skin is thick and dark, with gray tones. In addition, this species has small white or pink spots on the ventral region of its body.
Reproduction normally occurs during the flood season of the rivers (period between December and June) and when the female reaches six years of age. During this period of flood, it becomes easier to obtain food, which favors the mother's rehabilitation.
An interesting fact is that this animal's gestation lasts about 12 months. At each pregnancy, only one baby is born, and the period between one pregnancy and another is at least three years. After birth, the baby and mother can be together for about two years.
The Amazonian manatee feeds on plants, mainly aquatic ones. It is believed that he can spend up to 8 hours a day eating. After his “snack”, he takes a few hours of sleep. He can stay up to 20 minutes underwater, sleeping, without having to go to the surface to breathe.
This animal is heavily hunted, although its sale is prohibited. Many fishermen use specially created nets to catch this animal. Another interesting fact is that they generally prefer females who are pregnant or who have just had a baby, as they have a higher fat content. All these factors contribute to this animal being classified as vulnerable on the IUCN (International Union for Conservation of Nature) list.
In addition, the great environmental destruction is destroying the habitat of the Amazonian manatee and other animals, thus causing the death of many species.
Preserving the environment and avoiding overfishing are essential to protect all aquatic fauna!!!
by Vanessa dos Santos
Graduated in Biology
