Did you know? Manatees are relatives of the elephant! And like elephants, manatees have a very unique set of teeth. Molars are the only type of teeth you’ll find in a manatee’s mouth. Molars are perfect for grinding, which is necessary when eating a diet of underwater vegetation. Because of the sand that gets caught in the plants they consume, their teeth erode over a period of time. Good thing they continually being replaced! In the back of their jaw, new molars will come in and gradually move

Manatees eating mangrove leaves at the water's edge. Manatees eat any kind of vegetation they can find or reach, not just sea grass. During high tides they are often able to reach lawn grass and other vegetation. The mothers will sometimes reach out and bring branches down into the water for the calves to reach the leaves. Some of the scratches you see on manatees are from pushing their way through mangrove trees and root systems. #nature #animals #Awesome #wildlife #florida #naturephotography |

You asked - we answered! What do manatees eat? Watch this short video feat. SMC' Director of Science & Conservation, Dr. Katie Tripp! | Save the Manatee Club

Manatees eating mangrove leaves in a canal in Florida as a mockingbird and other birds sing in the background. Manatees don't just eat seagrass, they eat anything they can access like algae growing on boat hulls, or mangrove and other tree leaves on a high tide. #nature #animals #wildlife #naturephotography #Florida Visit St. Pete-Clearwater | See Through Canoe