Manatee Fantasea Road ShowHow Slide Show is Used.• This program is used with a third-grade, in-classroom presentation. Students

act as reporters at a news conference where a manatee (puppet is used) is interviewed. Students are provided with questions and these slides support the scripted questions/answers.

• Questions/answers provide students with information about manatees, their habitat and endangered status. They also provide information about adaptation and help students understand adaptation better.

• At the conclusion of the scripted questions, students may ask their own manatee questions.

• The first opening slides are used to be sure students understand the pronunciation of the scientific name for manatees and review their understanding of what an adaptation is.

• Script for slideshow was originally developed by Monica Dorken and this slide show was developed by Eileen Tramontana.

Charlotte Harbor Environmental Center10941 Burnt Store Road, Punta Gorda, FL941-575-5435

Trichechus(trick-cake-us)manatus

(man-a-tuss)Latirostris(lat-i-ros-tris)

AdaptationCharacteristic, that allows an individual to better survive in its environment

Original European settlers thought manatees were mermaids

Size• 10 feet Long• Between 800

to 1300 pounds

• Dense bones• Females

larger than males

Q1 A

Dense Bones

help to submerge or go underwater

Q1 B

Eyes•Both side of

head•Near-sighted•Sees only

blue, green and grey

Q2 A

Nictitating Membrane

• Inner membrane like swim goggles

• Protect eyes

Q2 B

Nostrils Flaps or valves that close to keep water out.

Q3

Lungs •Whole length of body

•Help to float•Lots of muscles on both side to help breath in and out quickly.

Q4

Mouth/Lips•Use

similar to elephant’s trunk

•Hairs used too

Q5

Teeth

• Two rows on top and bottom

• 6 to 8 teeth in each row • Replaced as they wear down

Q6

• Special digestive system to digest plants• Gland with mucus to coat sand • 10 to 15% of body weight• Or, 100 to 150 pound per day

Q7

Feeding

FoodManatee Grass

Q8

Turtle Grass

Q9 A

•Wrinkled skin•Grey color

CamouflageSomething (such as color or shape) that makes an animal difficult to see in the area around it.

Q9 B

Flippers

• Steer with 2 front flippers

• Use to hold food

Q10 A

Tail• Moves up

and down• Usually

swims about 3 to 4 mph

Q10 B

Nails• Like

elephant cousin

• Put food in mouth

Q11

Hearing• Tiny ear

opening behind eyes

• Sound waves enter jaw

• Hairs on body

Q12

Ear Bone

Sounds• Chirp, whistle,

or squeak• Usually

between mother and calf

Q13

Submerging• Up to 15 to 20 minutes at one time• Normal heart rate 50-60 beats per

minute• Slow heart rate to 8 beats per

minute or every 7.5 seconds.

Q14

Life Span Up to 50 years if stays healthy

Q15

How many are left?

• 2011: 4, 834 left• 2012: 829 died.

Highest mortality was Brevard and Lee counties

Q15

How can you Help?

Don’t throw fishing line or litter in the water.

Watch but don’t harass.

Be careful when boating.