Ralph Foster, Jr., age 9, of Casper, Wyo., for his question:

HOW HEAVY DOES A MANATEE BECOME?

Manatee, sometimes called a sea cow, is a large water mammal. It can grow to be 14 feet long and weigh as much as 1,500 pounds.

A manatee has light to dark gray skin, with short, bristlelike hairs scattered over its body. Its front legs are paddle shaped and its tail is rounded. It has no hind legs.

There are three species of manatees. The West Indian manatee lives in the Caribbean Sea and along the northeastern coast of South America.

It is also found in the coastal waters of the Southeastern United States, particularly in the bays and rivers of Florida.

The Amazon manatee lives in the Amazon and Orinoco river systems.

The African manatee lives in the rivers and coastal waters of western Africa.

The West Indian and Amazon manatees have been heavily hunted for many years for their flesh, hide and oil. Both of these mammals are now classified as endangered species.

The manatee feeds on water plants in fresh or salt water.