Dugong


Order: Sirenia (sea cows, manatees, and dugongs)

Family: Dugongidae (dugongs) and Trichechidae (manatees)

Species: Dugong shown here is Metaxytherium floridanum. West Indies manatee is Trichechus




Dugongs have a tail like a dolphin while manatee tails are rounded.




West Indies Manatee



Dugong ribs fragments. Dugongs became extinct about 2-1/2 million years ago in Florida waters, but can still be found in Asia. Manatees came onto the Florida scene about the time dugongs were dying out.

Dugong vertebra.

Dugong teeth.

Manatee tooth.

Dugong or manatee ear bone (tympanic bulla).









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