Amazonian manatees survive dry seasons using fat reserves

The Amazonian manatee can survive months without eating during dry seasons by using its body's fat reserves. This adaptation allows the herbivorous mammal to endure periods of scarce vegetation in fluctuating river environments, relying on accumulated fat and a reduced metabolic rate. The manatee's survival is tied to healthy aquatic ecosystems, but it remains vulnerable due to historical hunting and ongoing habitat degradation.