The Amazonian Manatee is the smallest of the three manatee species and the only one restricted entirely to freshwater, found in the Amazon and Orinoco river basins. Its smooth, gray skin lacks the ridged, rough texture of sea grass-feeding species, reflecting its freshwater diet. It is listed as Vulnerable and faces threats from hunting and gill-net bycatch.
Habitat
Freshwater rivers and lakes of the Amazon and Orinoco basins
Diet
Aquatic grasses and floating vegetation
How common
Very rare
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