Manatees belong to the order of mammals known as Sirenia. There are 3 species still in existence; the West Indian manatee (this is the one we have in Florida), the West African manatee and the Dugong.

About 54 million years ago a sea cow descended from a common ancestor shared by elephants lived in tropical waters of the Caribbean. This animal is thought to be the ancestor of the modern dugongs and manatees.

Manatees look somewhat similar to other sea mammals, but because they have an even greater store of blubber they are stockier in build. Also, they have no hind limbs. Their eyes are very small, and their ear openings are no larger than a pin prick. It makes me wonder how they made it this far! From what I’ve read, they have no other enemies than alligators and man. I’m sure that helps. (Except for the fact that humans seem peculiarly adept at wiping species out.)

I was wondering how an animal that subsists on nothing but greenery can achieve such an impressive girth. Well, it seems they expend very little energy. If I ate nothing but lettuce and seldom moved, would I become enormous? Makes you wonder.

With such a mysterious past and an uncertain future, we can only wish for the continued existence of these mammals. Wear these lovely gold manatee earrings as a tribute to their survival and a reminder to help them out as much as possible.

 

My gold marine animal earrings page is just beginning but you'll find some leaping 14K gold dolphin earrings there now.