Question 1: Which animal is featured in today’s image?
- Manatee
- Dugong
- Walrus
Answer: Manatee
Fact: Manatees, large and slow-moving marine mammals, belong to the order Sirenia, which also includes dugongs. They primarily inhabit warm, shallow waters such as coastal areas, rivers, and estuaries. As herbivores, they mainly feed on seagrass and other aquatic vegetation. Manatee Appreciation Day, observed annually on the last Wednesday of March, aims to raise awareness about these gentle creatures.
Question 2: What is a baby manatee called?
- Calf
- Kit
- Pup
Answer: Calf
Fact: Manatee calves are born underwater and must quickly swim to the surface for their first breath. They remain close to their mothers for one to two years, during which they learn vital survival skills, such as locating food, avoiding threats, and navigating their surroundings.
Question 3: Which of these animals is closely related to the manatee?
- Elephant
- Dolphin
- Shark
Answer: Elephant
Fact: Manatees, despite their aquatic lifestyle, are most closely related to elephants. Both species share a common ancestor that existed over 50 million years ago. They belong to the biological clade Tethytheria, which includes mammals from the orders Sirenia (manatees) and Proboscidea (elephants).