The Caribbean manatee

The manatee, sometimes nicknamed the “sea cow,” grazes for 6 to 8 hours a day. Its low-nutrient diet has led to the evolution of a slow metabolism, allowing it to survive on 25% less energy than a mammal of similar size. A semi-social marine mammal, the manatee has an intestine nearly 20 meters long, representing about 14% of its body weight. To compensate for the wear on its molars caused by eating abrasive plants, its teeth are continuously replaced throughout its life.