Manatee

Manatees are aquatic mammals also known as sea cows. Here in Honduras they are a protected species as there numbers have dwindled in the last few decades. We have some reserved areas were these animals are protected but there is always the odd hunter who has no scruples and thinks nothing of killing one of these animals.

These animals whose scientific name is Trichechus manatus are very large some of them grow up to to 4 meters in length and can weigh up to 600 kilograms the females are larger than the males, they live in small family groups which have 15 to 20 members. They are mostly hunted for their skin, grease and meat, I have heard, I think it is a legend, that the meat has the taste of seven different animals, you know like beef, pork chicken and I don't know what else, I don't believe this but as I have never tasted it I wouldn't know.

To be honest I have never seen one of these animals even though I have been several times to a reserve which is about 30 kilometers from town and where they are protected but no luck, never seen one. This place is called Cuero y Salado and it is very well kept and is well worth a visit if you are ever in La Ceiba, there website is: http://fucsa.blogspot.com/

They live in either salt or fresh water, they like warm temperatures and they mostly feed on plants, sometimes they are seen in the sea close to shore, their gestation period is one year, they are docile and are not known for attacking humans, this is one species which we are trying to preserve and it is difficult, because even though they fortunately have very few predators alligators, crocodiles and sharks, but they live relatively free from these enemies, so in fact their greatest threats are humans, there is always someone who is trying to catch one, I think just for the chance to say he did it.