Camille Quintos

Both manatees and dugongs, sometimes known as sea cows, are members of the Sirenia order and are quite similar in appearance. Both of them are enormous, grey aquatic creatures that live in shallow coastal areas and tropical and subtropical areas. These two species are commonly confused with one another due to their similar size, form, and color.

Is the species of manatee and dugong the same, though? The similarities and contrasts between each animal will be covered in this article, along with the characteristics that make each species distinct.

MANATEE VS DUGONG: Their Differences

  • Appearance

The snouts of the dugong and the manatee are one of their most notable differences. Dugongs have thick vibrissae, or mustaches, that grow on their upper lips and chins, and long, narrow snouts.

Manatees have parted lips and rounded snouts. For grasping and eating plants, they can independently move the two sides of their lips.

  • Mating Habits

Another notable distinction between dugongs and manatees is sexual maturity. Although female manatees can begin mating as young as three, most begin breeding at five. It takes female dugongs a lot longer to reach sexual maturity.

These animals not only have varied mating seasons, but also different sexual maturity. Manatees breed during the months of spring and summer every year, whereas dugongs breed in the fall.

  • Habitat

Dugongs never leave saltwater. They live their entire lives in protected, shallow coastal environments like bays and mangrove swamps.

On the other hand, manatees can be found in both fresh and saltwater. West Indian and West African people live mostly in saline water, although during the winter they move to warmer freshwater habitats.

  • Size

Manatees can reach lengths of 13 feet and 500 kg, but dugongs can only reach lengths of 9 feet and up to one metric ton. On average, manatees grow longer and heavier than dugongs.

The Florida manatee, which may reach lengths of up to 4 meters (15 feet) and weights more than 1400 kg (3000 pounds), is the largest manatee.

  • They aren’t in the same family

Because of their slow nature and grass-eating tendencies, both manatees and dugongs are called sea cows, and their large size and gentle but curious nature makes them attractive creatures. Manatees and dugongs are mammals of the order Sirenia—that is, sea cows.

But even though Manatees and Dugongs belong to the same order, they are not considered to be in the same family. Dugongs belong to the Dugongidae family, while manatees belong to the Trichechide family.

Manatees and dugongs are both sea mammals, yet despite having extremely similar appearances, they differ greatly. They ought to be simple to distinguish from one another if you pay great attention. Although they are related, manatees and dugongs have major differences. Do you think you can distinguish between them?

Updated on: December 05, 2023