Apparent Dry-Season Fasting in Amazonian Manatees (Mammalia: Sirenia)

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Abstract
Amazonian manatees (T. inunguis), restricted to deep water areas in the larger lakes in the central Amazon during the dry season, do not have any obvious food sources until water levels rise between 1-2 m. Evidence from Lago Amana [Brazil] suggests almost 7 mo. of fasting. Manatees may eat dead vegetative matter of both autochthonous and allochthonous origin, relying on hindgut fermentation to derive nutritive value from such material. The extremely low metabolic rate (36% of standard) and the large quantity of blubber may represent critical adaptations in the survival of this species during prolonged dry seasons. A fat manatee may survive up to 200 days before exhausting its lipid reserves.

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