Glossary

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

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 chlorophyll 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 Steller's sea cow.

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)

Monofilament

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 paddle-like 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.

Steller's sea cow

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.