How much do manatee calves weigh when they are born? Do they stay with their families for a long time?
A. Manatee calves are about three to four feet long and weigh between 60 and 70 pounds at birth. Mother manatees nurse their young for a long period, and a calf may remain dependent on its mother for up to two years. The female manatee assumes total responsibility for raising the calf. The calf nurses from nipples located behind the mother’s flippers and begins to eat plants a few weeks after birth.
