Glossary

This list of definitions have been provided for you convenience should you come across anything you do not understand within this website.

For information on manatee safety related signs, click here.

AGGREGATION- a mass of distinct things gathered together in a group.
AGILE- quick and easy in movement.
ALGAE- a group of primitive plants, one-celled or many-celled, containing clorophyll and found in water or damp places.
AQUATIC- living or growing in, on or near water; having a water habitat.
BARNACLE- a shell-bearing sea animal that attaches itself to rocks, ship bottoms, etc.
BLUBBER- a thick, insulating layer of fat beneath the skin of marine mammals.
BRACKISH- of water, having less salt content than sea water, but still undrinkable.
BULL- term used to describe an adult manatee.
BUOYANCY- ability to float.
CALF- term used to describe a newborn or young manatee.
CONFLICT- a struggle between two or more parties.
CONGREGATION- a gathering.
CONSERVATION- the care and protection of our natural resources, such as forests, endangered species, etc.
COW- term used to describe an adult female manatee.
DISCHARGE- to release, as in warm water from power plants into natural waters.
DOCILE- easy-going, mild mannered.
DUGONG- one of two species of marine mammals in the order Sirenia, the dugong and seacow.
ECOLOGY- the study of the interrelationships which exist between organisms and their environment.
EFFLUENT- liquid which flows away from a constraining space or main waterway.
EMERGENT- protruding above the water's surface, as on cattails.
ENDANGERED- to place in jeopardy; expose to loss.
ENDANGERED SPECIES ACT OF 1973- strong legislative action which served to protect various species of native fish and wildlife that are threatened with extinction.
ENVIRONMENT- surroundings; conditions surrounding and affecting the development of an organism.
ESTRUS- period in female during which ovulation occurs and the animal is receptive to mating.
ESTUARY- a semi-closed coastal body of water which is connected to the open sea and within which sea water is diluted with fresh water; highly productive body of water.
EXTERMINATE- to destroy entirely; wipe out.
EXTINCT- having died out; no longer in existence as in Stellar's seacow.
FEDERAL MARINE MAMMAL PROTECTION ACT OF 1972- prohibits the taking, sale, possession, importation and transportation of certain marine mammals in the U.S.
FLORIDA MANATEE SANCTUARY ACT OF 1978- legislative action which requires slow speeds by boat traffic in designated areas where manatees are known to congregate at certain times of the year(winter)
FLUCTUATIONS- to move up and down, unstable.
FLUKE- term applied to the large tail of the manatee.
FLUVIAL- of, found in or protected by a river.
HARASSMENT- the act of worrying or tormenting, as to harass an animal.
HERBICIDE- chemical agent that destroys or inhibits plant growth.
HERBIVORE- animal that eats only plants, vegetation.
HERD- term used to designate a group of manatees.
HYACINTH- an aquatic plant of the lily family, which has been introduced to Florida's waterways and is considered an exotic pest.
LACTIC- of or obtained from milk.
LETHARGIC- lazy, listless.
MAMMAL- a large class of warm-blooded animals of which have a body covered with hair and the females have milk-secreting glands for feeding their offspring.
MANDATORY- an order of law that must be followed.
MARINE- of or pertaining to the sea.
MERMAID- according to legend, a sea creature with the head and body of a woman and the tail of a fish (early reports are thought to liken this to the manatee)
MONOFILLAMENT- a type of line used in fishing.
MORPHOLOGY- a branch of biology which deals with the structure and form of an organism an any stage of its life history.
MORTALITY- the ratio of deaths to population; death rate.
NICHE- an especially suited place or position.
PESTICIDES- a chemical agent which destroys undesirable organisms.
PHYSIOLOGY- the study of functions and vital processes of living organisms.
POACHING- act of hunting or catching game illegally; to steal.
POLYANDROUS- the practice of having more that one mate at a time.
PROPELLER- a device having a series of blades mounted at an angle for driving forward a boat or an aircraft.
PROPULSION- being propelled or moved forward.
RANGE- distance traveled; limited area.
REFUGE- shelter or protection from danger.
RESIDUE- that which is left after part is removed; remainder.
SANCTUARY- a place of refuge or protection.
SENSITIVITY- very easily affected by some type of agent.
SIRENIANS- in zoology, the order of aquatic mammals which include living manatees and dugongs; nearly hairless, thick skinned mammals without handlimbs and with paddlelike forelimbs.
SKEG- an extension of the stern end of the keel of a boat, which in some cases passes under the propeller and supports the rudder post.
SPRING- a flow of water from the ground.
STATUS- position, rank.
STELLAR SEACOW- of the manatee family, a species that is extinct.
SUBMERGED- a place or sink beneath the water's surface.
TRIBUTARIES- a stream flowing into a larger river.
TROPICAL- pertaining to the region between the tropics of Cancer and Capricorn, which has a very warm climate.
VALVES- a membrane structure which opens and closes the nostrils of the seacow, permitting the animal to breathe.
VANDALISM- the act of destroying or damaging.
VEGETARIAN- one who eats no meat, only vegetables.
VULNERABLE- open to or easily hurt by criticism, attack.