Manatee Parts

Head and Snout

 - nostrils with valves to keep out water

- vibrissae (whiskers used to pull in food and feel things; like fingers

- marching molars in mouth 

- eyes are located just above the snout and have no lids or lashes, they close when the sphincter muscle constricts

- ears are located on the sides of the head, no external flaps, are merely pinholes

 

Flippers

 - used for steering while swimming

- used for crawling on the ocean floor

- three to four fingernails on each

- just below the flippers is where the axillary girth measurement is taken

Penduncal

 - this is the point where the base of the tail connects to the manatee's body

- the paddle-like tail of the manatee propels the animal by using an up and down motion in the water
 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  
              Morphometrics

 

    In order to better understand the incredible size of these mammals, students work with one another to take exact measurements of themselves.  Those measurements are compared to an average sized male manatee named Buffett, who is currently in captivity at Mote Marine Laboratories.  Once students understand where all of the manatee's parts are located, they work on the class activity outlined below.

       Morphometrics is the science of measuring an animal specimen. Morphometrics are used with manatees for a variety of reasons. Manatees in captivity have physicals from time to time. These are to determine growth rate and to be sure that the manatee is gaining the proper amounts of weight. Manatees that are found dead are also measured for documentation purposes.

 

       In Part I of this activity you will take morphometric measurements of the people in your group and record them in the chart below:

 

Names of Subjects

      

Length (snout to paddle)

 

      

Axillary Girth (just below flippers)

      

Umbilical Girth (around the belly button)

      

Penduncal Girth (the base of the tail where it meets the body)

      

      In Part II of this activity you will compare your morphometrics with those of an average manatee. To do that you need to fill in this chart carefully with YOUR personal measurements.

Names of Subjects

Buffett (Average Male Manatee)

You!

Length (snout to paddle)

 

 

10 feet

  

Axillary Girth (just below flippers)

7.2 feet

  

Umbilical Girth (around the belly button)

8 feet

  

Penduncal Girth (the base of the tail where it meets the body)

 

5.4 feet

 

  

***How do I change inches to feet in decimal form?***

Take the inches and make a fraction with 12 in the denominator. Divide the numerator by the denominator to get a decimal. Round that decimal to tenths.

Example: 2 feet and 5 inches

5/12 = .416

Answer: 2.4 feet

 

       In Part III of this activity you will graph your results. We will label both the x and y-axis together and decide upon a step that will work for the graph as an entire class. You may then choose one color to represent your morphometrics and a second color to represent Buffett’s measurements. Be sure to include this information in the key.

      Your assignment tonight is to use a ruler and pencil to trace this graph template NEATLY and ACCURATELY onto the white paper provided. Please use a ruler to add all titles, labels, and other key elements. Color very carefully and neatly within the bars!

 

Scoring Breakdown:                                        What I deserve....

Accurate measurements recorded  (40 pts)                            ______

Graph labeled appropriately         (20 pts)                          ______

Neatness                                      (20 pts)                           ______

On-task during in-class work         (20 pts)                          ______ 

Total points.............                                   ______

 

 

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