Manatee

The Manatee is a mammal species featured in Grand Theft Auto VI's recreation of the state of Leonida. It is identified in community catalogues as the West Indian Manatee. The in-game animal is modelled on the real-world Trichechus manatus.

In game, the Manatee is typically encountered in coastal environments, fitting the species' real-world range across South Florida.

The Manatee has been visually confirmed in official Rockstar trailer footage or screenshots, placing it among the higher-confidence entries on the GTA VI wildlife list.

The Manatee has been documented in the official Rockstar trailer cuts and screenshots released so far, and the Extended Look gave it a clear on-screen moment.

During the bayside montage after the police chase, Jason drives an airboat along the waterfront while people jump off a pier and its steps into the water. Manatees are visible in the water to the right of the boat, and frame-by-frame breakdowns pointed out that the animals can be seen beneath the surface as the swimmers hit the water, with the shot also released as one of the 3D scenes. It is the first time the species has been shown moving in official footage rather than as a still.

Real-world basis according to community analysis: Trichechus manatus.

From domestic pets to apex predators, mammals anchor much of the wildlife players interact with. The Manatee fits naturally into Leonida’s ecosystem.

The animal also lends its name to the Vice City Manatees, the city’s American football team and Rockstar’s parody of the Miami Dolphins. Turquoise Manatees sportswear is worn by several NPCs in the Extended Look, Lucia wears a Manatees jersey with the number 69, and a Manatees sticker turns up in the closing montage.