Similarities Between Manatees And Dugongs

Manatees and Dugongs are related and both relatives of the earth roaming elephant yet are considered “cows of the sea”. This term has been coined for these herbivorous mammals due to their continual grazing of coastal waters and slumbering yet effortless movements through those waters. Although there are many similarities, both of these marine mammals have very distinct features that make them unique. Manatees have a maximum life span of 60 years and they are an endangered species while one Dugong has been recorded living up to 73 years (70 years being the average) and they are a threatened species. Both families (Trichechidae and Dugongidae) belong to the Sirenia order. Sirenians are the only fully-aquatic herbivorous mammals. Their conservation

Both Manatees and Dugongs live in very shallow water. Several Dugongs were monitored in Australia and, according to Harlene Marsh, about half of their actions were within 1.5 meters of the surface and 70% of all their activities were within 3 meters of the surface. Close proximity to the surface and the slow movements they portray, put their existence in peril. Frequent encounters like watercraft incidents that involve fishing boats continuously coming in contact with the big bodied mammals and bycatch which is a reduction through commercial fishing of marine animals caught unintentionally. Although Sirenians are of similar purpose, physiological functions, and survival behaviors, each possesses other specifically unique characteristics. Anatomical structures help differentiate between the two mammals while playing vital roles in functionality. Habitat and home range of these Sirenians can be the difference between survival and extinction. Their constant grazing appears similar but differences exist regarding type, how, and

An additional difference in their bodies is their snouts. Manatees have a prehensile upper lip that they use to gather food and they have a generally shorter snout. Manatees also do not have incisors while dugongs have tusks. Manatees have a highly developed sense of touch, utilizing thick hairs called vibrissae that cover the entire body. They have streamlined bodies and a large paddle-like tail. A manatee has few extremities and thick skin which helps with heat conservation. Both Dugongs and Manatees occupy saltwater habitats with only the Manatees able to migrate to freshwater during seasonal changes. Manatees are found along the North American east coast, the Amazon River and even rivers in Africa, depending on the species. During the wet season, when river water levels are high, the West Indian species will dwell upstream and then reside in lakes during dry season. The Dugongs diet consists only of seagrass which they pull out by the roots leaving a trail of sand as they feed. Manatees are voracious herbivores and their diet consists mostly of plants like mangroves, turtle grass and some algae. (TRANSITION?) The term manatee comes from the Carib Indian word ‘manati’, which means woman’s breast. This could be due to the fact that the mammary glands in Sirenians are located in a precisely similar place as on a human female; this particular