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Manatees weigh 400 to 550 kg (880 to 1,210 lb), and average 2.8 to 3.0 m (9 ft 2 in to 9 ft 10 in) in length, sometimes growing to 4.6 m (15 ft 1 in) and 1,775 kg (3,913 lb) and females tend to be larger and heavier than males. At birth, baby manatees weigh about 30 kg (66 lb) each.
The gestation period in manatees lasts for 12–14 months, after which they give birth to one calf at a time or, rarely, twins. [58] When twins are born, they are fraternal twins and are dizygotic. [62] When a calf is born, it usually weighs 60–70 lb (27–32 kg) and is 4.0–4.5 ft (1.2–1.4 m) long.
The only visible distinction between males and females is the genital openings. However, males tend to be smaller than females. Some female African manatees are sexually mature as young as 3 years of age, and they give birth every 3 to 5 years of their estimated 30-year lifespan.
Despite the longevity of the dugong, which may live for 50 years or more, females give birth only a few times during their lives and invest considerable parental care in their young. [97] The time between births is unclear, with estimates ranging from 2.4 to 7 years. [13] Mating behaviour varies between populations located in different areas. [20]
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In comparison to cetaceans, sirenians, and pinnipeds, which entered the water approximately 50, 40, and 20 mya, respectively, the sea otter is a relative newcomer to marine life. In some respects though, the sea otter is more fully adapted to water than pinnipeds, which must haul out on land or ice to give birth. [24]
A polar vortex event in Florida may result from climate change, which is likely to displace various marine animals like manatees. Manatee populations around Florida have been suffering for decades ...
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