The astonishing world of the manatee

Whether you call them manatees or 'sea cows,' these creatures’ ancestors date back over 60 million years, yet they are still very remotely understood. Sadly, these river- and sea-dwelling animals are becoming extinct quickly due to human intervention, and it looks like the creatures that sparked folklore stories about mermaids won’t be around for much longer. But there's still time to do something! To learn all about this majestic mammal, click through the following gallery.