Manatees are one of the best known, admired, and most loved species in the world for their tender look and for having a body that invites you to hug it; they are very similar to other Marine Mammals such as cetaceans, but their physical characteristics are different. Manatee babies are born when the mother is in sexual puberty, which can be at 5 or 7 years old, and remain with their mother until they are 8 or 10 years old, some up to 20 years of age.
Manatee Mothers and Their Babies
Manatee mothers are amazing. Gestation time is 13 months, and they are in the water for almost half that time. At birth, Manatee mothers nurse and care for their babies and teach them to swim and eat.
Manatees born under human care have many challenges to overcome as they are not prepared to survive independently. However, at Dolphin Discovery, thanks to the Miracle Program, these tender Marine Mammals receive the care of our expert Marine Mammal Specialists. and Veterinary Doctors who provide the necessary care.
Some of these cares include:
Maintain water quality at optimal levels.
Guarantee access to sunlight.
Provide a variety of foods appropriate to their age, weight, and health conditions.
Constant medical check-ups to ensure they are healthy.
For their part, Manatee mothers are very affectionate with their babies and are always concerned about taking good care of them.
Main Characteristics of a Baby Manatee at Birth
- Manatee babies are the most beautiful small aquatic mammals in the world.
- They are born with much white hair and have much fat on their bodies.
- They also have short, stubby tails, and their heads look like big balls.
- Manatee babies need to be cared for by their mothers because they cannot fend for themselves at birth, but once they grow up, they can be independent and fend for themselves with no problem.
- It is recognized for being very gentle Marine Mammals that do not harm humans unless provoked or threatened.
What Are Baby Manatees Like During Their First Days?
Manatee babies are complex and delicate creatures. Below we present some of the care they receive at Dolphin Discovery for their well-being and that of their mother during the first days in captivity:
- Babies are born in a litter of one to three.
- They measure about 25 centimeters and weigh about 4 kilos at birth.
- They have grayish-brown fur and are covered in fine hairs that help keep them warm.
- The first two weeks are the most critical for baby Manatees because they need their mother’s milk to survive, and if they don’t get it, they could die within a few days.
- They swim on their backs when they are born but soon learn to swim upright like their mothers.
- They are blind from birth. Their eyes open after about two months, but it takes several more months to see underwater.
The Growth of Baby Manatees
Manatee babies grow much faster than humans, and they are extraordinary creatures, especially as they need a lot of care and attention.
Both babies and adults, Manatees are very social, intelligent, playful, affectionate, and loving Marine Mammals. This makes them exceptional babies, which cannot be found anywhere else in the world.
Compared to humans, baby Manatees, at one year of age, can be the length and weight of an adult human. They also usually have thick fur that covers their body, unlike a human baby who is born with virtually no hair.
In the same way, they need a lot of love and care for a long time before they can start playing on their own without having to be constantly watched by their parents, like us, right?
As you can see, manatees and humans, whether they are babies or humans, share many characteristics since we are very sociable and affectionate species.
The most important thing is to know that Manatees are Marine Mammals in danger of extinction since their ability to reproduce is deficient. Therefore they are a biological species protected worldwide.
If you love manatees as much as we do, share any Manatee experiences you’ve enjoyed in any of our Dolphin Discovery habitats, or send us your photos on our social media accounts!