How does the west Indian manatee gets its food?

The West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus) is also known as a sea cow or American manatee and is found in the shallow, slow-moving rivers and coastal areas primarily of Florida, but it can be found as far north as Massachusetts and as far west as Texas in the summer. Generally manatees do not need a shelter for sleep, birthing babies, etc, but when warrented, they can hide in the following places:

• submerged among the underwater vegetation
• in caves at or under the water line.
• among underwater debris
• changing habitat from saltwater to a freshwater river