manatees

Noun

manatee (plural manatees or manatee)

1. A mostly herbivorous sirenian of the genus Trichechus, having a paddle-like tail and nails on their flippers, found in tropical regions.
   • The ecological importance of the manatee is clear; scientists have demonstrated the dependancy^([sic]) of all components of an ecosystem on one another […]1988 September, Tampa Bay Magazine, numbers Sept–Oct, page 60

   Synonyms:

   lamantin