Manatees have small eyes, but they still have very good eyesight and have a protective membrane over their eyes to protect it. They have facial whiskers on their head and it is similar to our fingers. Manatees have a split upper lip and the left and right sides can move freely. This helps them grasp and manipulate their food. Manatee nostrils have a very tight valve to protect them from taking in water while under the surface. They open up when they come back up to the surface.
On of the Manatee’s main behavioral adaptation is that they tend to stay in warmer, coastal waters. This is because manatees cannot survive in water that is 68 degrees or below for very long. Instead of having front teeth, the manatee relies on the thick ribbed pads in the front of its mouth to help break vegetation into small pieces.The West African and Amazonian manatees migrate downstream or into deeper parts of rivers and lakes to avoid starvation and predation.
On of the Manatee’s main behavioral adaptation is that they tend to stay in warmer, coastal waters. This is because manatees cannot survive in water that is 68 degrees or below for very long. Instead of having front teeth, the manatee relies on the thick ribbed pads in the front of its mouth to help break vegetation into small pieces.The West African and Amazonian manatees migrate downstream or into deeper parts of rivers and lakes to avoid starvation and predation.