The Manatee-Human Comparison

Humans and manatees are more closely related than they might appear. Manatees breathe air with lungs like humans, surfacing every three to five minutes when active and holding their breath up to 20 minutes when resting. Both are mammals, meaning they are warm-blooded, have hair, give live birth, and nourish their young with milk; manatee calves can remain dependent on their mothers for milk up to two years. A manatee’s flipper bones resemble human finger bones, though manatee bones are much heavier. Manatees also have sparse hair over their bodies and sensitive whisker-like hairs on their snouts called vibrissae.

Florida · United States