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The dugong is easily distinguishable from the manatees by its fluked, dolphin-like tail; moreover, it possesses a unique skull and teeth. Its snout is sharply downturned, an adaptation for feeding in benthic seagrass communities. The molar teeth are simple and peg-like, unlike the more elaborate molar dentition of manatees.
What is the difference between a dugong and a manatee? Dugongs and manatees may look similar, but there are some key differences between them. The main difference lies in their physical appearance and habitat. Dugongs have a more streamlined body shape with a fluked tail, while manatees have paddle-shaped tails.
- Main Differences Between A Dugong and A Manatee
- Dugong
- Manatee
- Threats to Manatees and Dugongs
Here are the top five main differences between a dugong and a manatee: 1. Appearance: Dugongs and manatees are very similar in appearance, with no dorsal fins and snouts to feed on the ocean floor. Saying this, manatees have unique cervical vertebrae of only seven, whereas all other mammals have seven. Manatees also have a divided upper lip and a s...
The dugong is a species of sea cow. It is the only remaining member of the Dugongidae family. It’s a large animal lacking a dorsal fin or hind limbs. Its closest living relative is the manatee. Like all sea cows, it has a very small brain size compared to its body size.
Manatees are large herbivores that are sometimes known as sea cows. There are three species of manatee making up three of the four living species of the order Sirenia, the fourth being the dugong. The three species of manatee are: 1. Amazonian manatee or (Trichechus inunguis) 2. West Indian manatee or (Trichechus manatus) 3. West African manatee or...
In the 18th century, the Stellar’s sea cow, another member of the sea cow family, was hunted to extinction. Today, both species are threatened by human encroachment on important habitats, pollution, and climate change. Both dugong and manatee young are threatened by predators like crocodiles. Both manatees and dugongs are slow-moving creatures. Thi...
Dugongs differ from their closest living relative, the manatee, in a number of ways. These unique characteristics set dugongs apart from many other marine mammals. A Truly Marine Mammal – Dugongs are the only species in the order Sirenia (dugongs and manatees) that lives in an exclusively marine environment.
Unlike the manatee, dugongs live exclusively in marine habits. One can quickly distinguish the two based on their tails—manatees possess paddle-shaped tails while the dugong’s is dolphin-like (fluked).
- Shallow warm coastal waters
- Mainly in Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
- Up to 70 years
- 8 to 10 feet
Dugongs are large marine mammals often called sea cows due to their herbivorous diet and slow, gentle nature. They are related to both manatees and—surprisingly—elephants. They live in warm coastal waters from East Africa to Australia, grazing on underwater grasses as their main food source.
1. Dugongs are more closely related to elephants than other marine mammals, such as whales and dolphins. 2. Dugongs only give birth every 3-7 years, and live for up to 70 years. 3. Dugongs rarely communicate visually, due to their poor eyesight.
