MANATEES

Slowly moving through the water the giant sea creature seems quite frightful at first, but in reality it is nothing but a gentle herbivore munching on sea grass. The large animal is a manatee or somtimes called a sea cow. Manatees belong to the order Sirenia of which there are only 4 extant species in 2 families, Trichechidae and Dugongidae.

Manatees have a large, seal-like body that tapers to a powerful flat tail. Two agile forelimbs with three to four toenails on each, which act like arms to help the manatee maneuver in shallow water, grasp and move food toward their mouths, and act like flippers during swimming. Their skin is thick and wrinkled with a rough texture. Powerful upper lips help maneuver food or dig through sediment. The size of an Average manatee is 9 to 10 feet long, weighing around 1,000 lbs.. It can grow as large as 13 feet and weigh more than 3,000 lbs. Calves are born weighing about 40 lbs, gaining about 700 lbs. during their first year.

Gentle and slow-moving. Most of their time is spent eating vegetation (100-150 lbs. per day), resting, and traveling. On average manatees can travel about 40 to 50 miles a day, sometimes farther. Mantees emit sounds that are within human auditory range. They make sounds such as squeaks and squeals when frightened, playing, or communicating, particularly between cow and calf. No air is released from the manatee when these sounds are made, and it is not clear where the sounds are being produced or if they serve any other purpose. It is believed that one calf is born every 2 to 5 years. Twins are rare in the wild. Newborns weigh approximately 40 pounds at birth and stay with the mother for several years.
Manatees are mammals and breath air through their noses at the surface - with nostrils which close tightly when submerged. They breathe every few minutes when active or swimming, and every 10 to 15 minutes when resting. They are capable of exchanging 98% of their lungs capacity in one breath. Their lungs are very large, and are also used for buoyancy control. The rushing sound of a deep exhale and breath sound much like a snorkeler. This sound, and the associated "footprint" left by the manatees tail and body at the surface are clues which reveal the presence of manatees in the area.

Manatees are found in coastal waterways, estuaries, saltwater bays, rivers and canals, particularly where seagrass beds are located. Manatees are completely herbivorous and can eat 10-15% of their body weight daily. Manatees are protected under federal law by the Marine Mammal Protection Act of 1972 and the Endangered Species Act of 1973, which make it illegal to harass, hunt, capture or kill any marine mammal. Manatees are also protected by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978. Anyone convicted of violating this state law faces a possible maximum fine of $500.00 and/or imprisonment for up to 60 days. Conviction on the federal level is punishable by a fine of up to $50,000 and/or one year in prison. Feeding manatees, giving them water, or otherwise altering their natural behavior can be considered harassment. Manatees are usually injured by motor boats and garbage. Help out these gentle giants by visiting manatee protection sites or get involed with clubs and programs to help save the manatees.

Visit these cool sites!

http://www.homesafe.com/manatee/

http://www.savethemanatee.org

BY: Laura E., 13

There are only a couple thousand manatees left because of people who drive too fast on their boats. A manatee could get cut up very badly by a boatand it might not get help in time . Other things that hurt mantees arepollution in the water which could be garbage or oil that could hurt the manatees . Manatees are wounderful ceatures and they need your help to stay here on earth. You probably think "what can I do I don't even live where manatees do" . But there is something you can do. You can tell others about the manatee so they will know about it too . You can read about them and get books from the library about manatees. You can even go on the website www.savethemantee.com On this website there is information about manateesand if you want to can donate money to a place in Flordia that helps
hurt manatees get better so that they can put them back into the wild . Manatees are great creatures. Please help so they can stay here on earth with us.

Felicia,15, Wisconsin penpal#195233

PUPPY MILL WARNING!!

I'm here to tell you the devastating truth about pet stores! Don't ever believe what that guy at the counter says. Its his job he get paid to sell these pets! The fact is These dogs come from places called Puppy Mills sounds nice huh? In reality these places torture dogs by keeping them in small wire cages. Most don't ever in their life get to touch ground. As soon as they're ready to make little pups these "breeders" use up these poor female dogs until they're not able to have any more puppies, then they kill them. During winter dogs freeze and during summer some dogs die from heat stroke or even get "cooked". Also When you're told "lifetime guarantee" that means if your dog devlops a sickness they will take it back and put it to sleep and give you another one but most likely it will have a sickness too. It's cheaper for them to put the dog to sleep than pay 100's getting it cured but simply most of these sicknesses are incurable. The American Kennel Club does not inspect places UNLESS they have had nore than 7 liters a year. The only way to stop these horrible Puppy mills Is to stop people from buying dogs from stores. Spread the word put up facts. Stop this abuse and torture.

You can help!! visit...

http://www.puppymillrescue.com/

http://www.hua.org/Prisoners/Puppymills.html

and get the facts before buying a dog. Or better yet...rescue a cool pup or older dog from the pound!!

Michelle 14, Massachusetts