Where do African manatees live?

They live along the West African coast from Senegal to Angola, moving between the ocean, rivers, estuaries, lagoons, and inland lakes across more than 19 countries.

What do African manatees eat?

They are mostly herbivorous grazers, feeding on aquatic plants and mangrove vegetation, but coastal populations also eat mollusks and fish — an unusual trait among manatees.

Why is the African manatee considered Vulnerable?

Poaching for meat and oil, habitat fragmentation from dam construction, and accidental deaths in fishing nets and hydroelectric turbines have all contributed to its Vulnerable status on the IUCN Red List.

African Manateeアフリカマナティー

Trichechus senegalensisVU— Vulnerable

The African manatee is the only sirenian native to the Old World, ranging along the West African coast and adjoining rivers and lakes from Senegal to Angola. It grazes mainly on aquatic plants and mangroves but, unusually among manatees, also eats mollusks and fish in some coastal areas. Threatened by poaching, dam construction, and accidental entanglement in fishing nets, it is classified as Vulnerable by the IUCN.

African Manatee (reference photo) — Photo: Gameraquai / CC0 / Source / cropped

Species Data

Classification: Sirenia / Trichechidae Source
Size: Body length up to about 4.5 m
Weight: About 360 kg
Lifespan: Estimated at about 30 years
Diet: Omnivore Omnivorous, feeding mainly on more than 70 species of aquatic plants and on mangroves, consuming 4–9% of its body weight in wet plant matter daily; coastal populations also eat mollusks and fish
Activity: Nocturnal; rests in shallows 1–2 m deep during the day and becomes active from evening into the night
Distribution: The African manatee ranges along the West African coast from Senegal to Angola, moving freely between coastal waters, rivers, estuaries, lagoons, and inland lakes across more than 19 countries. Source
Sources: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org

Did You Know?

The African manatee is the only manatee species found in the Old World, and one of just two living sirenians there, alongside the dugong. Source
Some researchers believe the West African water-spirit legend of 'Mami Wata' originated from sightings of manatees, particularly females surfacing to breathe. Source
Sharks and crocodiles are considered natural predators, leaving African manatees exposed to threats even in the water. Source

Where to See This Species

Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1

Toba AquariumMieOpened in 1955

Source

Conservation Story

Conservation Status

Vulnerable (VU)

Sources

ja.wikipedia.org

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FAQ

Where do African manatees live?: They live along the West African coast from Senegal to Angola, moving between the ocean, rivers, estuaries, lagoons, and inland lakes across more than 19 countries. Source
What do African manatees eat?: They are mostly herbivorous grazers, feeding on aquatic plants and mangrove vegetation, but coastal populations also eat mollusks and fish — an unusual trait among manatees. Source
Why is the African manatee considered Vulnerable?: Poaching for meat and oil, habitat fragmentation from dam construction, and accidental deaths in fishing nets and hydroelectric turbines have all contributed to its Vulnerable status on the IUCN Red List. Source
How many operating facilities are registered here?: Operating facilities registered on this site: Japan 1 Source

Books & gear

Source: ja.wikipedia.org en.wikipedia.org