* Seagrass: This is their main food source, and they can consume up to 10% of their body weight in seagrass daily.
* Aquatic plants: They also eat other plants like algae, water hyacinth, and water lettuce.
* Freshwater vegetation: Some manatees, especially those living in freshwater rivers, will also eat vegetation like water lilies and reeds.
Manatees use their strong, prehensile upper lip to grasp and pull plants into their mouths. They have a unique digestive system that allows them to break down tough plant matter and absorb nutrients.
While manatees are not known to eat fish or other animals, they may accidentally ingest small organisms while grazing.