The manatee is an animal commonly known as a "sea cow." These gentle marine mammals are slow-moving herbivores that inhabit warm coastal waters and rivers, primarily in the Caribbean Sea, the Gulf of Mexico, and the Amazon River basin. Manatees have a stout body and paddle-like flippers, which they use for swimming, and they feed on seagrasses and aquatic plants. Known for their friendly disposition, manatees often come near boats, which has led to conservation efforts focusing on their protection due to threats from habitat loss and boat collisions.