Books with title Gentle Manatees

From flightless, long-legged ostriches to winged rays, and from elusive, long-tailed snow leopards to wily foxes, the world of animals is wonderfully diverse. This popular and newly expanded series continues traveling the planet to study these and other fascinating mammals, birds, reptiles, fish, and invertebrates. Beautiful photos are paired with STEM-appropriate text to examine the featured creature's appearance, habitat, behaviors, and life cycle. Each book also presents a folk story that people have used to help explain the animal's appearance or behavior. A basic exploration of the appearance, behavior, and habitat of manatees, the aquatic relatives of dugongs. Also included is a story from folklore explaining why manatees are associated with mermaids.

Vivid photographs help take readers on a virtual field study to observe the life cycle and behaviors of each featured mammal, bird, or reptile. Each book also looks at past and present scientific research and includes a unique storytelling element in the form of an animal tale drawn from mythology or folklore. Progressively complex text draws readers into this interdisciplinary life science series. A look at manatees, including their habitats, physical characteristics such as their unique respiratory system, behaviors, relationships with humans, and the protected status of these intelligent creatures in the world today.

How could a manatee with its whiskered face and distinctly rotund shape be mistaken for a seductive mermaid by ancient sailors? Manatees, the reclusive sea cows who love nothing more than to eat sea grass and sleep, are a marine mammal. They use their paddle-like tail to slowly cruise the coastal and inland waters of Florida. These sausage-shaped oddities have endeared themselves to us with their mysterious and gentle nature, shy curiosity, and whimsical face. Manatees: The Gentle Giants steps back from all of the controversy surrounding this endangered animal to present a photographic portrait of manatees just being manatees. This collection of photographs contains intimate portraits of mothers and calves as well as manatees doing amusing acrobatics and posing for the camera. Using his rapport with his subjects, the photographer captures not only the serene beauty of the springs, but also the manatees' natural curiosity and unusual physical traits. Many of the natural behaviors displayed in the pictures are surprising. The beautiful photographs are an excellent introduction to the personalities of these leisurely vegetarians. Readers who have fallen in love with manatees can use the lists of places where someone can see manatees either in captivity or in wild viewing areas. This book offers a priviledged glimpse into the world of the manatee narrating to us through photographs the beauty and drama that are these unique gentle giants.