Manatees are gentle giants. An adult West African manatee can grow to about three metres long and weigh as much as 500 kilograms — similar to a small car. Despite their size, they move quietly and gracefully through the water, barely disturbing the surface as they glide along.
They are completely herbivores — plant eaters. A manatee spends most of its day munching on water hyacinth, sea grass, and floating leaves. Because they eat so much vegetation, they actually help keep rivers and lagoons clean and clear by stopping plants from growing too thick.
Manatees breathe air just like us, so they have to come to the surface every few minutes. They are very curious animals and have been known to swim right up to the edges of stilt villages in Lake Nokoué, poking their whiskered noses out of the water to investigate. Fishermen in Ganvié sometimes spot them early in the morning before the lake gets busy.
West African manatees are considered vulnerable, which means their numbers need careful protection. Community groups in Benin work to raise awareness and make sure the lagoons and rivers stay clean and safe enough for manatees to thrive.