Read It! Read these two different texts about manatees. When you have finished reading, click =CONTINUE=>.

Text 1

Manatees are water mammals. They live underwater but have to come up for air to breathe. Manatees come to the water's surface every 3 to 5 minutes. When resting, manatees can hold their breath under water for up to 20 minutes!

Manatees are known by scientists as aquatic herbivores. Aquatic means they live in water. Herbivore means they eat only plants and vegetation. Other aquatic mammals, like whales and dolphins, eat fish, shellfish, and other small water animals. Manatees are strict vegetarians! They eat water plants. They graze for food for 8 to 10 hours a day.

Text 2

Manatees are mammals. They live in warm water. Manatees stay under water. They must swim up to the surface every few minutes for air to breathe.

Florida is home to most manatees in the U.S. In the summer months, manatees have also been spotted in other states like Texas, Alabama, Georgia and South Carolina. They have been seen as far north as Massachusetts.

Manatees feed on water plants. They do not eat meat; they are herbivores. The average adult will eat up 50 to 100 pounds of plants per day! They have to be able to support their weight of 800 to 1,200 pounds. Some people call manatees sea cows. Manatees are actually more closely related to elephants than cows.

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