The West Indian Manatee (Trichechus manatus) is a large aquatic mammal. It is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and Zoo Tycoon 2.
Description[]
The West Indian Manatee is an aquatic mammal belonging to the order of Sirenia or Sirens and is the largest of four species. Generally they are between 2.7–3.5m (9–11.5ft) in length, and weigh between 200–600kg (400–1300lb). Historically they were often confused by Atlantic sailors for marine people and might be the origin of the Mermaid myth. They can live up to 50–60 years in the wild, and 65 or more years in captivity. A captive manatee named Snooty holds the world record of the longest manatee lifespan, passing away at the age of 69.
Manatees have excellent hearing, mothers and their calves will communicate to each other using high-pitched squeaks. West Indian Manatees live in small families, though herds of 15–20 animals have also been observed. They have whiskers called vibrissae all over their bodies to provide information about their surroundings. Despite their immense size and typical lethargic behavior, they are also quite agile as they can roll, somersault or swim upside down. Unlike most marine mammals, manatees are herbivores, with seagrass making up the majority of their diet.
Since manatees are often found in shallow waters and move slowly, they are mostly threatened by boat propellers. This is also referenced in a challenge in Zoo Tycoon 2. West Indian Manatees were declared endangered in 1970, when there were only a few hundred of the species left. It is currently estimated that over 13,000 West Indian manatees live in the wild.
Zoo Tycoon[]
The West Indian Manatee is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon and was included as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. It is not adoptable in Freeform mode until nine months have passed.
Like all Marine Mania animals, the West Indian Manatee is an Aquatic animal. Its favorite foliage is Sea Grass and they eat Marine Grass. They like Marine Rocks and require at least a couple of Small Marine Rock clusters to maximize their habitat suitability. The West Indian manatee can be happy with a fairly shallow tank, requiring a tank that is only 3 units deep.
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
The West Indian Manatee is an adoptable animal in Zoo Tycoon 2 and was included as part of the Marine Mania expansion pack. In Campaign and Challenge mode, it is available for adoption once a zoo reaches a rating of 1 and a half stars. Each individual costs $3,000 to adopt.
The West Indian manatee is a Coastal animal, although it can tolerate the Wetlands biome as well as Reef to a lesser extent. It can be comfortably exhibited alongside the Green Sea Turtle, which has similar habitat requirements and diet.
There is a challenge in Challenge Mode where the player is provided with an injured manatee and must cure it before releasing it back into the wild. Completing it rewards the player with a free Short-Finned Pilot Whale.
 zootycoon.com Description
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| The West Indian, or Caribbean, manatee is found in rivers and coastal waters from the southeastern United States and the Gulf of Mexico to the Caribbean Sea and northeastern Brazil. The manatee is popularly called a sea cow because it grazes on marine grasses and other water plants, to the extent that this helps to clear plant-clogged river channels used for irrigation and transportation. An adult manatee grazes for 6 to 8 hours per day, consuming an amount equal to between 5 and 10 percent of its body weight. Manatees live in small family groups, although they occasionally travel in herds of 15 to 20. In ancient times, manatees were often mistaken for mermaids when seen at a distance by sailors. |
Gallery[]
Zoo Tycoon[]
Zoo Tycoon 2[]
Trivia[]
- In Zoo Tycoon, West Indian manatees are completely intolerant of freshwater tanks, despite their natural range extending to various freshwater river systems. This oddity is also shared by the Common Sawfish.
- In Zoo Tycoon 2, the specific West Indian manatee subspecies featured is the Antillean Manatee.
- Like cetaceans in Zoo Tycoon 2, West Indian manatees have a node to link remoras. However, remoras aren't coded to recognize manatees as hosts. The manatee animations also don't have any key times for remoras to attach.
- The West Indian manatee's location name, coastal_carribean_atlantic_ocean has Caribbean misspelled, however Caribbean is spelled correctly in the animal's Zoopedia.
- The West Indian manatee in Zoo Tycoon 2 has a coding error in its main animal xml. Having its Required Initial Tank Depth and Required Additional Tank Depth duplicated, each with different values.
- Since the lower values are after the higher values in the code, the manatee needs less space than it otherwise would need.
- In both games, the West Indian manatee makes bellowing and low-pitched rumbling sounds, however in real life manatees make a series of squeaks that sound similar to some dolphins.