Manatees use their flippers to "walk" along the bottom whilst they dig for plants and roots in the substrate.
When plants are detected, the flippers are used to scoop the vegetation toward the manatee's lips.
 The manatee has prehensile lips; the upper lip pad is split into left and right sides which can move independently.
The lips use seven muscles to manipulate and tear at plants.
Manatees use their lips and front flippers to move the plants into the mouth.
 The manatee does not have front teeth, however, behind the lips, on the roof of the mouth, there are dense, ridged pads.
These horny ridges, and the manatee's lower jaw, tear through ingested plant material.
Manatees use their flippers to "walk" along the bottom whilst they dig for plants and roots in the substrate. When plants are detected, the flippers are used to scoop the vegetation toward the manatee's lips.  The manatee has prehensile lips; the upper lip pad is split into left and right sides which can move independently. The lips use seven muscles to manipulate and tear at plants. Manatees use their lips and front flippers to move the plants into the mouth.  The manatee does not have front teeth, however, behind the lips, on the roof of the mouth, there are dense, ridged pads. These horny ridges, and the manatee's lower jaw, tear through ingested plant material.
Manatee