West African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis)
West African Manatee (Trichechus senegalensis)
The West African Manatee, known scientifically as Trichechus senegalensis, is the least well-known Trichechus manatee and can live in salt, brackish, or fresh waters along the western coast of Africa. The West African Manatee prefers calm waters and can usually be found grazing on sea grass in mangroves and lagoons. The West African Manatee is regarded as vulnerable by the IUCN due largely to human effects on the species. The West African Manatee is frequently killed as bycatch or hunted as a pest as it will sometimes steal fish out of nets or rice from fields. The West African Manatee is one of three manatee species that make up the family Trichechus, along with the Amazonian Manatee and the West Indian Manatee.
West African Manatees have a total length between 10’-13’ (3-4 m), body height of 2.1’-2.8’ (65-85 cm), and width of 2.8’-3.6’ (85-110 cm). The typical weight of the West African Manatee is in the range of 794-1,653 lb (360-750 kg). West African Manatee have lifespans between 20-30 years.
The West African Manatee, known scientifically as Trichechus senegalensis, is the least well-known Trichechus manatee and can live in salt, brackish, or fresh waters along the western coast of Africa. The West African Manatee prefers calm waters and can usually be found grazing on sea grass in mangroves and lagoons. The West African Manatee is regarded as vulnerable by the IUCN due largely to human effects on the species. The West African Manatee is frequently killed as bycatch or hunted as a pest as it will sometimes steal fish out of nets or rice from fields. The West African Manatee is one of three manatee species that make up the family Trichechus, along with the Amazonian Manatee and the West Indian Manatee.
West African Manatees have a total length between 10’-13’ (3-4 m), body height of 2.1’-2.8’ (65-85 cm), and width of 2.8’-3.6’ (85-110 cm). The typical weight of the West African Manatee is in the range of 794-1,653 lb (360-750 kg). West African Manatee have lifespans between 20-30 years.