Trichechus manatus latirostris

Manatees like this one, seemingly comfortable surfacing while munching sea grass next to a biped on a paddle board at Manatee Park, sense the world around them with hairs called vibrissae, densely packed around their mouths and faces. They’re highly sensitive to touch and help sea cows detect changes in water currents and textures, allowing them to explore and forage. Prehensile lips grab and pull food toward their mouths like elephants, alpacas, rhinos, and horses. Click here to view more photos from an afternoon paddle at Manatee Park and along the Orange River.