Appearance:
* Plump: Their bodies are round and full.
* Gentle: Their demeanor is calm and peaceful.
* Slow-moving: They move with a graceful, deliberate pace.
* Large: They can grow to be quite big, often over 10 feet long.
* Gray: Their skin is usually a grayish color.
* Smooth: Their skin is often described as smooth and hairless.
* Bulbous: Their head is often described as having a bulbous shape.
* Paddle-shaped: Their flippers resemble paddles.
* Slender: Their tails are often described as slender and horizontal.
Behavior:
* Herbivorous: They only eat plants.
* Social: They often live in groups.
* Curious: They are known to be curious and sometimes approach people.
* Endangered: Many manatee species are endangered due to habitat loss and other threats.
* Vulnerable: They are susceptible to harm from boat strikes and pollution.
Other:
* Aquatic: They live in water.
* Mammal: They are warm-blooded and give birth to live young.
* Sea cow: They were given this nickname due to their herbivorous diet.
More poetic descriptions:
* Gentle giant: Reflecting their size and peaceful nature.
* Living fossil: Manatees have been around for millions of years.
* Mermaids of the sea: Their appearance and grace have inspired legends.
You can choose words that fit the specific context you're writing about, or use a combination of words to paint a more detailed picture.