Brenda Callahan, age 11, of Vancouver, Wash., for her question:

HOW LARGE IS THE MANATEE?

Often called the sea cow, a manatee is a large water animal that grows to be between eight and 15 feet in length and weighs up to 1,500 pounds. The giant is found living in rivers, bays and coastal lagoons of warmer climates on both sides of the Atlantic Ocean. Lots of them live in Florida's waters.

Manatees live on water plants. One animal will eat between 60 and 100 pounds of food each day. Groups of manatees are often seen in small herds, browsing along in underwater meadows.

The animal's front legs, or flippers, are paddle shaped. The round body tapers down to a broad, flat tail. The thick skin is hairless although there are whiskers on the manatee's upper lip.

Manatees were once land animals, like whales. They took to the water, just as the whale did, long ago.