The Great Lakes manatee (Trichechus ohiohensis), also known as the Canadian manatee and the Canada manatee, is a species of small manatee that originally did not exist, but has since been created by SciiFii and introduced throughout the Great Lakes in North America to help boost biodiversity. Great Lakes manatees are much smaller than West Indian manatees, growing to be about the size of the farm pig, making it among the smallest manatee species. They are herbivorous and feed primarily on invasive common reed, reed canary grass, purple loosestrife, curly pondweed, Eurasian milfoil, frogbit, non-native cattails, and other species of non-native plants, although they can also feed on some native plants to supplement their diet. Unlike most manatees and like the Steller's sea cow, the Great Lakes manatee has thicker blubber to survive fridged temperatures of the Great Lakes. Like other manatees, Great Lakes manatees have developed vocal communication abilities, and are covered in highly sensitive vibrissae that are used for feeding and navigation. In breeding season, several males form mating herds around an individual female; on average, one calf is born to a female manatee every two to three years. The conservation status of the Great Lakes manatee is Least Concern due to successful conservation efforts and the Great Lakes manatee's wide range. Great Lakes manatees were historically hunted for their meat and blubber, however, strong conservation laws were put in place to protect manatees from human hunting.
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