Trichechus

Trichechus is a genus of manatees in the family Trichechidae, order Sirenia. It comprises three extant species: the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), and the African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis). They are large, fully aquatic herbivorous mammals with a robust, paddle-like forelimb and a broad, rounded tail; they lack dorsal fins and external hind limbs and possess a sparsely haired, whiskered muzzle. They breathe air at the surface, typically surfacing every few minutes, though longer dives are possible during rest.

Distribution varies by species: the West Indian manatee occupies the southeastern coast of North America, the Caribbean, and adjacent waters; the Amazonian manatee is restricted to the Amazon basin in South America; the African manatee occurs along the Atlantic coast of West and Central Africa. Their habitats include shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers where vegetation is abundant.

Ecology and behavior: Trichechus species are herbivores, feeding on submerged aquatic plants such as seagrasses and freshwater vegetation. They are generally slow-moving and may form small social groups, though many observations are of solitary individuals. Reproduction is relatively slow; after a gestation of about a year, females typically give birth to a single calf and may reproduce every two to three years under favorable conditions.

Conservation: Manatees face threats from boat collisions, habitat loss and degradation, entanglement in fishing gear, and pollution. They are protected under various national laws and international agreements, and all three species are listed on CITES Appendix I in many regions. Conservation efforts focus on mitigating human-caused mortality, protecting critical habitats, and monitoring populations to support recovery where feasible.