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West Indian Manatee zoo icon

Possibly mistaken for mermaids by Christopher Columbus on a voyage to America, the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is a large, rotund, aquatic mammal. The tough skin is grey-brown with sparse hairs covering the body and many bristles on the muzzle. The front limbs are short flippers and the body tapers to a flat, paddle-shaped tail that distinguishes this species from the related Dugong (Dugong dugon), which posses a fluke-like tail. A unique feature (amongst mammals) of the manatee is the constant replacement of molar teeth; new teeth enter at the back of the jaw and replace old and worn teeth at the front. Recent evidence suggests that manatees may possess a unique sixth sense that enables them to detect pressure changes through sensory hairs.

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