How do you tell the difference between male and female manatees?

Manatees are large, fully-aquatic, mostly-herbivorous and gentle marine mammals often called sea cows. The gentle giants inhabit shallow and tranquil waters in estuaries, rivers, canals, saltwater bays, and coastal regions. They are capable of transitioning from freshwater to saltwater without encountering difficulties. At birth, a manatee is 1.2 meters to 1.4 meters (4-4.5 feet) long and weighs 27 to 32 kg (60-70 pounds). However, when reaching full maturity, a manatee measures 3 meters (10 feet) in length and weighs between 360 to 545 kg (800 to 1,200 pounds). Some individuals can even reach lengths of up to 4 meters (13 feet) and weigh as much as 1,590 kg (3,500 pounds).

So how can you distinguish between male and female manatees?

Since they generally have a similar body shape and appearance, it is quite difficult to tell the difference between male and female manatees. In fact, even biologists find it hard to identify different manatee sexes. Nevertheless, a variety of ways can still be applied to distinguish the sex.

These include:

    1. Location of the genitals

The main way to tell the difference between a female and a male manatee is the position of their genitals. In male manatees, the genital opening is located on the underbelly. This is positioned just below the navel, which creates a greater distance between the genital opening and the anal opening. A female manatee has her genital opening located on the underbelly but above her anus. So for the female manatee, the genital opening and the anal opening are closer to each other. To distinguish manatee sexes, you just need to view the underside and locate the genital and anal openings. The anus of both the male and female manatees is found next to the caudal peduncle (the tapered region just before the tail).

    1. Presence of a calf being nursed

When on a manatee tour, it may be difficult to distinguish male and female manatees by viewing the location of the genitals. You may have to try a quick way of telling the difference. For instance, the presence of a calf that is being nursed from the mammary located below the pectoral fins will identify a female manatee.

    1. Size of the animal

Male manatees are generally smaller than females of the same age. In fact, males tend to reach lengths of around 9 feet and weigh between 1,200 and 1,800 pounds. On the other hand, female manatees are approximately 10-13 feet in length and weigh up to 3,500 pounds. By distinguishing manatees according to their sizes, you can quickly differentiate the males from the females.

Are you considering an exhilarating, secure, and unforgettable manatee tour? Would you like to experience a once-in-a-lifetime excursion on Crystal River? Alternatively, are you interested in booking a manatee tour through a responsive, customer-friendly, and reliable manatee tour provider? To acquire further information about planning and savoring a remarkable and gratifying manatee tour, visit the “Captain Mike’s Swimming with the Manatees” site.

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