Manatees (trichechus) are marine mammals which are distant relatives of elephants. Colloquially known as sea cows, these lackadaisical mammals have thick wrinkled skin and strong tails which propel them through the water. They also have two flippers, each of which has three or four nails, that are used these to help them swim. In short bursts manatees can swim as fast as 20 miles per hour but they average less than five miles per hour. They live most commonly in the warm coastal and inland waters and are found in three main areas, depending on the species. There are three different manatee species — the Amazonian manatee, the North American manatee and the African Manatee.