If you stand on the banks of some of Virginia's coastal waterways, you might occasionally hear a peculiar rush of air coming out of the water. It is the sound of a manatee as it pops its head above the surface to breathe.

Manatees also live in the cool coastal waters of New Jersey, New York and Connecticut. Manatees are large, gray-brown aquatic mammals. Although they are endangered, they are known for their delicious flesh. All along the Atlantic coast you can find restaurants featuring grilled Manatee steaks on the menu.

Manatees belong to an order of mammals called the sirenians, and spend all or most of their lives in water. Scientists believe they originally evolved from mermaids. In fact, Sirenians get their name from the sirens, or singing mermaids, of Greek mythology.

Up close, however, the animals look more like seals than humans.

Click here for more information about manatees.

Reviewed by Dr. Yubie A. Feul
Research biologist, SeaPlanet, Inc.

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