Their body mass ranges from 460 to 1620 kilograms. Their front limbs are transformed into flippers with 2-5 vestigial hooves, which are used for paddling and help serving food into the mouth. The hind limbs are reduced and the tail fin is rounded.
The manatee’s head is poorly defined with small eyes and elongated snout. The upper lip shape facilitates the acquisition of aquatic vegetation (algae, seagrass, freshwater plants), which they consume approximately 50 kilograms daily. Their bodies are sparsely hairy. Female manatees are larger than males.
