Sirenians of the World:
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| Family: Trichechidae (Manatees) |
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Trichechus manatus
(West Indian manatee)
Length: 10 to 13 feet
Subspecies:
Trichechus manatus latirostris (Florida manatee)
Trichechus mantus manatus (Antillean manatee)
Round, paddle-shapped tail. Nails on flippers. Length up to 13 feet and weight over 3,000 pounds. Found in southeastern United States and Caribbean Sea as far south as Recife, Brazil in salt, freah, or brackish waters. Principal threats are boat collisions and habitat degradation. Feeds on marine, estuarine, and fresh water vegetation. |
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Trichechus inunguis
(Amazonian manatee)
Length: 10 feet
Smooth skin. No nails on flippers. Found in fresh waters of the Amazon River and tributaries. Hunting pressures from native people. Feeds on fresh water vegetation. |
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Trichechus senegalensis
(West African manatee)
Length: 10 to 13 feet
Similar in appearance and habits to the West Indian manatee. Very little is known about this species. Found in West African coastal areas. |
| Family: Dugongidae (Dugongs) |
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Dugong dugon
(Dugoong)
Length: 8 to 13 feet
Smooth skin. Notched tail fluke. Without nails on flippers. Marine habitats. Found in Indo-Pacific region. Hunted for food by native people. Feeds on marine grasses. |
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Hdrodamalis gigas
(Stellers' sea cow)
Length: 24 to 30 feet
EXTINCT
Dark, heavily textured skin. Forked tail fluke. Up to 30 feet in length. Weight 3 1/2 tons. Toothless. Formerly found in arctic waters of the Bering Strait. (Hunted to extinction within 27 years of its discovery in 1741.) |
