African manatee

High school (ages 12+)
Animals & Nature

Name:

Date:

Step 1 · Read the article

Open the article and read it at the level above. Then answer the questions below in your own words.

https://smallwhale.org/articles/african-manatee

Write what each word means, using the article.

Do not copy the article. Write two things you learned, the way you would explain them to a friend.

Answers below are taken from the article’s stored facts, so they match what the student read.

1. What is the scientific name?Trichechus senegalensis
2. What is the habitat?Coastal waters, rivers, and lagoons from Senegal to Angola, West Africa
3. What does an African manatee look like?They have a long, streamlined body, paddle‑shaped flippers, and a wide tail that looks like a paddle. Their skin is usually gray and can grow green algae, making them look a little greenish.
4. Where can you find African manatees?They live in the warm, shallow waters of West Africa, from Senegal all the way to Angola. They can be found in rivers, lagoons, estuaries, and the coast.

Sirenian: An order of aquatic mammals that includes manatees and dugongs, known for their herbivorous diet and gentle nature.
Anthropogenic: Originating from human activity or influence.
Obligate Herbivore: An animal that must eat plants to survive and cannot digest meat.