Which word from the passage is a synonym for the word specify?
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manatees
adapted from the united states fish and wildlife service
the west indian manatee—sometimes called sea cow—is found along the coast of florida and in the caribbean. most adult
manatees are about 10 feet long and weigh 800 to 1,200 pounds, although some larger than 12 feet and weighing as much as 3,500
pounds have been recorded. these "gentle giants" have tough, wrinkled brown-to-gray skin that is continuously being sloughed off. hair
is distributed sparsely over the body. with stiff whiskers around its mouth, the manatee's face looks like a walrus without tusks.
manatees face many threats to their survival throughout their range. historically, they were hunted for their flesh, bones, and hide.
manatee fat was used for lamp oil, bones were used for medicinal purposes, and hides were used for leather. hunting is thought to be
largely responsible for the initial decline of the species; however, hunting is no longer allowed in countries where manatees are protected.
today, the greatest threats to manatee survival are collisions with boats and, in florida, loss of warm water habitat.
natural events also imperil manatees. because manatees cannot survive long in cold water, unusually cold winters in florida pose a
serious threat. as the water temperature drops below 60°f, manatees become sluggish and stop eating. young manatees are especially
susceptible to the effects of cold temperatures.
as long ago as 1893, florida passed a law to protect this marine mammal. since 1907, there has been a $500 fine for any person who
kills or harms a manatee. in 1978, florida designated the entire state as a "refuge and sanctuary for manatees" through the florida
manatee sanctuary act. this law allows the state to designate manatee sanctuaries and establish speed zones for boats. the fish and
wildlife service may also designate refuges and sanctuaries for manatees, especially important during the winter in providing safe areas
with warm water for these marine mammals.
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