West Indian Manatee (Mandible)

West Indian Manatee (*Trichechus manatus*): This aquatic species is found in warm shallow water such as coastal waters, rivers and canals. They occur on the east coast of the United States (as far north as Virginia and as far west as Louisiana). They also occur on the coast of Central and South America. They can tolerate both freshwater and saltwater. Their primary source of food is sea grasses and they graze up to eight hours a day. Both of these factors led to species’ nickname of Sea Cow. They are large and gray with flippers and a paddle-shaped tail. Annotations/Descriptions by - Dominique DiLandro & Jonathan Kozak Sample supplied by - Benjamin Hess (Collections Manager Mammology NCSM)