One of the most under-appreciated mammalian groups in the world is the order Sirenia. This is a group of aquatic mammals that resemble seals, and that feed primarily on vegetation. This makes them unique as virtually all other aquatic creatures of its size are predators. They are large, placid creatures, and almost never show aggression to others. They store a thick layer of fat in their bodies that allows them to withstand the cold, as well as serve as a food reserve.
Among the members of this order are Dugongs and Manatees. Dugongs dwell mostly in the shallow waters north of Australia, where most of the population can be found, although their range does extend all the way to east Africa. They are slow-moving creatures, and are the smallest members of Sirenia. The name Dugong is derived from the Malay word 'duyong', meaning 'lady of the sea'. The whole order are believed to be related to elephants (I know right!), and as such male dugongs in particular have tusks. The males use these small tusks to challenge other males during mating season, and are believed by some experts to help guide the female during courtship. Dugongs have a notched, dolphin-like tail, which they use this as their main means of propulsion; and paddle-shaped flippers, which the dugong uses to steer. Dugong typically live up to the age of 50.
Meanwhile, there are about three different living species that are called manatees. There are the Amazonian manatees, the West African manatees, and the West Indian manatees. The West Indian manatees tend to be gray or brown in colour, and usually weigh about 600 pounds. Some however, can weigh almost 3000 pounds. In addition, some can also grow to a length of almost four and a half metres. West African manatees are a threatened species that inhabit both salt and fresh water. Physically, they almost completely resemble West Indian manatees. Amazonian Manatees are solitary animals. Most have a distinct white or bright pink patch on their forefront. Apparently, the largest recorded Amazonian manatee was a male with a length of 2.8 metres. Captive adults daily consume from 9 - 15 kg. Amazonian manatees mostly feed during the wet season, when they eat new vegetation in seasonally flooded backwaters. During the dry season (September - March), they congregate in the main river channels or in deep parts of larger lakes, and may fast for weeks or months for lack of available food plants. They tend to gather in groups no larger than about 8 animals. Most manatees are either solitary or a female with her young. All manatees have a split upper lip, both parts of which are used to help put food in their mouths. They have a slow metabolism as a result of the fact that their primary diet of sea grasses tends not to be very nutritious. It is also the reason why they feed on such large quantities. Manatees have stubs of nails on their flippers which they use to dig at roots of the grasses they feed on. Incredibly, their flippers can also be used to hold food.
There was once another member of Sirenia named Steller's sea cow. This species officially became extinct in 1768. Just like the other members of order Sirenia Steller's sea cows were wonderfully adorable creatures.
Among the members of this order are Dugongs and Manatees. Dugongs dwell mostly in the shallow waters north of Australia, where most of the population can be found, although their range does extend all the way to east Africa. They are slow-moving creatures, and are the smallest members of Sirenia. The name Dugong is derived from the Malay word 'duyong', meaning 'lady of the sea'. The whole order are believed to be related to elephants (I know right!), and as such male dugongs in particular have tusks. The males use these small tusks to challenge other males during mating season, and are believed by some experts to help guide the female during courtship. Dugongs have a notched, dolphin-like tail, which they use this as their main means of propulsion; and paddle-shaped flippers, which the dugong uses to steer. Dugong typically live up to the age of 50.Meanwhile, there are about three different living species that are called manatees. There are the Amazonian manatees, the West African manatees, and the West Indian manatees. The West Indian manatees tend to be gray or brown in colour, and usually weigh about 600 pounds. Some however, can weigh almost 3000 pounds. In addition, some can also grow to a length of almost four and a half metres. West African manatees are a threatened species that inhabit both salt and fresh water. Physically, they almost completely resemble West Indian manatees. Amazonian Manatees are solitary animals. Most have a distinct white or bright pink patch on their forefront. Apparently, the largest recorded Amazonian manatee was a male with a length of 2.8 metres. Captive adults daily consume from 9 - 15 kg. Amazonian manatees mostly feed during the wet season, when they eat new vegetation in seasonally flooded backwaters. During the dry season (September - March), they congregate in the main river channels or in deep parts of larger lakes, and may fast for weeks or months for lack of available food plants. They tend to gather in groups no larger than about 8 animals. Most manatees are either solitary or a female with her young. All manatees have a split upper lip, both parts of which are used to help put food in their mouths. They have a slow metabolism as a result of the fact that their primary diet of sea grasses tends not to be very nutritious. It is also the reason why they feed on such large quantities. Manatees have stubs of nails on their flippers which they use to dig at roots of the grasses they feed on. Incredibly, their flippers can also be used to hold food.There was once another member of Sirenia named Steller's sea cow. This species officially became extinct in 1768. Just like the other members of order Sirenia Steller's sea cows were wonderfully adorable creatures.
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