Do you know that manatees are considered the foundation of the mermaid legend? They are considered the basis of the mermaid legend because manatees are believed to be responsible for the stories of mermaids and mermaids told by sailors. It must have been at sea for a long time because the manatee is also known as the sea cow. Manatees are marine mammals that breathe air through their nostrils. They are some species of manatees: West African, Amazonian and West Indian. They are settled in rivers, in the ocean and along the coasts of islands. The name manatee comes from the Taino, a pre-Columbian people of the Caribbean, and means "beast". Manatees are critically endangered due to human conflict and red tide; however, concerned private organizations such as the Save the Manatees club are helping them. West Indian manatees live on coasts, as well as in rivers from the Mid-Atlantic and northeastern Brazil to the southeastern United States. They also live near islands in the Caribbean Sea. Amazonian manatees live only in South American rivers. West African manatees make their habit in the rivers and coastal waters of West Africa. “They are large marine mammals, with whale-like bodies that taper into a flat, paddle-shaped tail” (“Manatee Facts”). Their lungs extend horizontally across the body. Their tail is very wide and rounded. They have light gray to dark gray skin with scattered hair on the body. They have no legs. Some reach 13 feet in length and weigh more than 3,500 pounds. All the world's manatees have similar habitats. They are found in deep, slow-moving rivers, saltwater bays, canals, and coastal areas, especially where seagrass beds or freshwater vegetation thrive. Additionally, manatees are herbivores. "Manatees...half of paper...it is legal to torment, hunt, capture and murder any marine mammal. The manatee is preserved by the Florida Manatee Sanctuary Act of 1978 which states: "It is unlawful for any person, at any time, to intentionally or negligently, to annoy, molest, harass or disturb any manatee." (Fox, Annie) West African manatees are protected under "Class A of the African Convention on Wildlife and Natural Resources, issued and signed by 38 African countries ". Hunting of the Amazon manatee has been restricted since 1973. Penalties for violating these federal laws could result in a year in prison and a fine of up to $20,000 (“Florida manatee”). In conclusion, the manatee is commonly known as a sea cow and is a marine animal that is able to breathe air through its nostrils. To help them not become extinct, people must take care of the world, especially the ocean.