Book 6, Question 75
Why Is a Manatee Called a Sea Cow?
A manatee is a gentle, slow mammal that grazes on seagrass and other water plants. People nicknamed it the sea cow, because its slow grazing looks like a cow in a field. But surprisingly, manatees are cousins of elephants, not cows!
From the book
Page from A Million Whys Book 6
More fun facts
- Manatees got the nickname sea cows because they graze on plants and move slowly.
- Manatees average about 10 feet long and 1,200 pounds.
- Manatees never leave the water, but they must come up to breathe air.
- Manatees eat sea grass, which needs sunlight and shallow water, so they spend most of their time in the shallows.
- Losing their homes and getting hit by boats have made manatees vulnerable.
- Some people say manatees remind them of sirens, or mermaids, from old stories.
Sources: U.S. Geological Survey, NOAA, National Geographic, NOAA
Questions kids ask
Do manatees eat meat?
No. Manatees are plant eaters that graze on sea grass, a bit like cows.