1. Sirenians
Manatees & Dugongs

2. Dugongs

3. Sea Cow

5. Closest to terrestrial elephants

6. Manatee

7. Florida Manatee (subspecies of W. Indian)
Tropical (Florida & Gulf Coast); water temp 70 F & up; shallow water
~10 ft, 1000 lbs
Thick lips; upper lip split; prehensile lips

8. Herbivores – eat turtle/manatee grass, water hyacinth; 30-100 lbs/day

9. No hind limbs; paddle-like tail

11. Breathe ~3-4 min; can remain under ~20 min

12. Basis for mermaid legend

13. Endangered - ~1200 remain in U.S.
Boat contacts

14. Scar patterns used to ID manatees

15. Entanglement

16. Steller’s Sea Cow
Discovered 1742; Extinct 1769
Hunted for meat, oil, & hide
To 28 feet