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Dugongs and other sirenians are not closely related to other marine mammals, being more related to elephants. [18] Dugongs and elephants share a monophyletic group with hyraxes and the aardvark , one of the earliest offshoots of eutherians .
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.
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.
The dugong is the only sirenian that is strictly marine, inhabiting only ocean environments, whereas other sirenians like manatees can also be found in freshwater. Dugongs are distinguished from their closest relatives, the manatees, by their fluked, dolphin-like tail and unique skull and mouth structure adapted for bottom-feeding in shallow ...
- Mammalia (Mammals)
- Chordata
- Sirenia
Jul 12, 2024 · Did you know that the dugong, or Dugong dugon, is more closely related to elephants than to other marine mammals? These fascinating creatures, often mistaken for manatees due to their plump bodies, have a dolphin-like tail and live exclusively in marine environments.
Dugongs are gentle marine mammals that live in warm coastal waters. These unique creatures look a bit like fat dolphins with small heads. Dugongs are the only living members of the Dugongidae family and are closely related to manatees.
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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.
