Definitions
- Referring to a large, herbivorous marine mammal found in the Americas. - Talking about an aquatic animal that is slow-moving and gentle. - Describing a creature that spends most of its time grazing on seagrass and other vegetation.
- Referring to a marine mammal found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean. - Talking about an animal that is closely related to the manatee. - Describing a creature that feeds on seagrass and other aquatic vegetation.
List of Similarities
- 1Both are large, herbivorous marine mammals.
- 2Both feed on seagrass and other aquatic vegetation.
- 3Both are slow-moving and gentle creatures.
- 4Both are endangered species due to habitat loss and hunting.
- 5Both have paddle-like flippers and no dorsal fin.
What is the difference?
- 1Geographic range: Manatees are found in the Americas while dugongs are found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
- 2Physical appearance: Dugongs have a more streamlined body shape and a dolphin-like tail fluke, while manatees have a rounder body shape and a paddle-shaped tail.
- 3Behavior: Dugongs are more social and tend to live in larger groups than manatees, which are more solitary.
- 4Habitat: Manatees prefer freshwater and brackish water habitats, while dugongs are strictly marine animals.
- 5Conservation status: Manatees are classified as vulnerable while dugongs are classified as either vulnerable or endangered depending on the region.
Remember this!
Manatee and dugong are both large, herbivorous marine mammals that feed on seagrass and other aquatic vegetation. While they share many similarities, there are also several key differences between them, including their geographic range, physical appearance, behavior, habitat, and conservation status.
