[今天是一年一度的感謝海牛日，讓我們一起認識憨厚可愛的海牛吧！]
(See below for English)
你知道海牛長甚麼樣嗎?
你了解海牛的個性嗎?
你意識到在不久的將來我們必須面對永遠失去海牛的事實嗎?
身長：2.4至4公尺
重量：200至600公斤
壽命：在野外可活50至60年
海牛是海洋裡的大型哺乳類動物，大部分以食用海草和淡水植物為主。外表呈現灰褐色且佈滿皺褶，皮膚上總是會有許多藻類附著生長。牠們利用前肢魚鰭來游動或轉向，有時會用前肢爬行通過淺水區，另外還有強而有力的尾巴可以上下拍動製造推力，讓牠們在水中暢行無阻優游自在地游動。
海牛個性溫和，移動緩慢並且具有好奇心。大部分的時間都在休息中度過，而其他時間則是在進食。牠們會在水中透過尖銳的叫聲表現恐懼、壓力或是興奮等感受，也藉著這種聲音和同伴溝通。雖然海牛在牠們生活的海域沒有天敵，但卻因為人類販售牠們的皮、油以及骨頭等部位而遭受獵殺的命運。捕捉個性和善的海牛對於獵人來說是非常輕而一舉的工作，不費吹灰之力就可以獲得最大利益。因此獵人們開始大量獵捕，海牛的數量也急速驟降。除此之外，人類大舉入侵海牛生活的海域，造成海牛經常被漁網或船隻誤傷，減短牠們原本的壽命。上述兩大原因讓海牛陷入目前四面楚歌的處境，諷刺的是，牠們和善好相處的個性卻是讓自己族群瀕臨絕種的最大主因。
請在今天將您的愛心獻給溫柔的海牛。只需要動動手指轉貼分享此文章，就可以讓更多人認識海牛並且知道牠們即將永遠消失在地球上。讓我們一起伸出援手拯救天真無害的海牛，拒絕食用海牛肉也不買賣海牛油以及骨頭所製成的器具或標本。
參考資料：Defenders of wildlife、National geographic
圖片來源：National geographic
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Today is Manatee Appreciation Day!
Do you know what manatees look like? What kind of personalities they have?
Did you know that there is a real possibility these adorable sea cows will become extinct in the near future?
Let’s get to know the manatee!
LENGTH: 2.4 to 4m
WEIGHT: 200 to 600 kg
LIFE SPAN: 50 to 60 years in the wild
Manatees are large marine mammals that inhabit our oceans. They are brownish grey, have thick wrinkled skin and mostly eat water grasses and freshwater plants. Manatees use their front flippers while swimming to help them change directions or even crawl through shallow water. Their strong tail helps propel them forward.
Manatees are gentle, slow-moving, curious creatures. They spend most of their time relaxing and eating. Manatees make high-pitched sounds as a way of communicating with companions or out of fear, stress, or excitement.
Even though manatees don’t have any natural predators, they are endangered because people sell their skins, oil, and bones. Presently, the number of manatees in the wild has greatly decreased because of the profits that can be made from their skins and bi-products. Another reason why manatees are threatened with extinction is because they are often caught in fishing nets or killed by boats. Ironically, the principal factor that has caused them to become endangered is their curiosity and friendly demeanor.
Today, on Manatee Appreciation Day, please open your heart to these kind creatures of the sea and share this post to raise awareness about these endangered animals. Also, by refraining from using manatee skins, oils or bones, you be doing your part to help prevent them from becoming extinct.
Reference: Defenders of wildlife, National geographic
Source: National geographic
