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Dugongs stick strictly to marine waters
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- In fact, dugongs (Dugong dugon) are cousins of manatees and share a similar appearance, but for their dolphin fluke-like tail, shorter fins, and long, more prehistoric-looking face. Both are related to elephants, but not hippos. Unlike manatees, which are freshwater mammals, dugongs stick strictly to marine waters.
www.oneearth.org/species-of-the-week-dugong/Dugongs: the marine mammal that inspired the myth of mermaids
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 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.
May 23, 2018 · Dugongs (Dugong dugong) are closely related to manatees and are the fourth species under the order sirenia. Unlike manatees, dugongs have a fluked tail, similar to a whale’s, and a large snout with an upper lip that protrudes over their mouth and bristles instead of whiskers.
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.
6 days ago · Dugong, marine mammal that inhabits the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, feeds on seagrasses, and is similar to the American manatee.
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.
As the lone marine mammal that eats only plants, dugongs play a key role in sea grass ecosystems. They help keep sea grass beds healthy by grazing and spreading seeds. This unique diet makes dugongs different from all other sea mammals.
