Dugongs vs. Manatees — What's the Difference?
Edited by Tayyaba Rehman — By Fiza Rafique — Published on December 29, 2023
Dugongs and Manatees are both marine herbivores, but Dugongs have a dolphin-like tail, while Manatees possess a round, paddle-shaped tail.
Difference Between Dugongs and Manatees
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Dugongs and Manatees, often referred to as sea cows, are both gentle herbivorous marine mammals. They might seem quite similar to the untrained eye, but they have distinguishing features and habitats.
Dugongs predominantly inhabit the waters of the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, making them commonly found in coastal regions of Australia. On the other hand, Manatees are residents of shallow, marshy coastal areas and rivers in the Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Amazon Basin, and West Africa.
One notable difference between Dugongs and Manatees is their tails. Dugongs have a fluked, dolphin-like tail, while Manatees boast a broad, paddle-shaped tail, reminiscent of a large spatula.
The snout and mouth structures also differentiate the two. Dugongs have a downturned snout, helping them graze on seagrass. Manatees have a more rounded snout, assisting them in their diverse herbivorous diet.
Dugongs, unlike Manatees, have no nails on their flippers. Additionally, while both can live in saltwater, only Manatees alternate between freshwater and saltwater habitats.
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Comparison Chart
Tail Shape
Dolphin-like, fluked tail.
Round, paddle-shaped tail.
Habitat Regions
Indian Ocean to western Pacific (e.g., Australian coasts).
Caribbean, Gulf of Mexico, Amazon Basin, West Africa.
Snout Shape
Downturned snout.
More rounded snout.
Dietary Habit
Primarily seagrass grazers.
Diverse herbivores; eat a wider variety of plants.
Nails on Flippers
No nails on flippers.
Possess nails on flippers.
Compare with Definitions
Dugongs
Distinguished by their dolphin-like, fluked tails.
You can differentiate Dugongs from Manatees by observing their tails.
Manatees
Large, gentle marine mammals found in shallow coastal waters.
Manatees are often spotted in the warm waters of Florida.
Dugongs
Marine mammals primarily found in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific.
Dugongs are often sighted off the coast of northern Australia.
Manatees
Herbivores with a diverse diet, consuming various aquatic plants.
The diverse diet of Manatees includes water hyacinth and mangrove leaves.
Dugongs
Possess a downturned snout aiding in grazing.
The snout of the Dugongs makes them efficient seagrass grazers.
Manatees
Known to switch between freshwater and saltwater habitats.
Manatees are unique in their ability to thrive in both fresh and saltwater environments.
Dugongs
Herbivores known to primarily feed on seagrass.
Dugongs play a crucial role in maintaining healthy seagrass beds.
Manatees
Recognized by their round, paddle-shaped tails.
A Manatee's tail looks like a large, flat spatula.
Dugongs
Lack nails on their flippers.
Unlike Manatees, Dugongs do not have nails on their flippers.
Manatees
Possess a more rounded snout compared to Dugongs.
The Manatees' rounded snout is perfect for consuming a variety of aquatic plants.
Dugongs
A herbivorous marine mammal (Dugong dugon), native to tropical coastal waters of the Indian Ocean, Red Sea, and southwest Pacific Ocean and having flipperlike forelimbs and a notched tail.
Manatees
Any of various herbivorous aquatic mammals of the genus Trichechus, having paddlelike front flippers and a horizontally flattened tail and found in warm coastal waters and rivers in Florida, northern South America, West Africa, and the Caribbean.
Dugongs
Plural of dugong
Manatees
Plural of manatee
Common Curiosities
Where can I typically find Dugongs in the wild?
Dugongs are commonly found in the waters of the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, especially near Australia.
How can I differentiate a Dugong from a Manatee?
The tail is the primary distinguisher; Dugongs have a fluked tail, while Manatees have a paddle-shaped tail.
Are Dugongs and Manatees related?
Yes, Dugongs and Manatees are both members of the Sirenia order of marine mammals.
Are Manatees freshwater or saltwater animals?
Manatees can live in both freshwater and saltwater environments.
Do Manatees have nails on their flippers?
Yes, Manatees possess nails on their flippers, unlike Dugongs.
Can Dugongs and Manatees tolerate cold waters?
Both prefer warmer waters, with Manatees especially being susceptible to cold stress.
What do Dugongs primarily eat?
Dugongs primarily graze on seagrass.
Do Manatees and Dugongs have teeth?
Both possess molars for grinding food, but their dental structures differ.
Are there any efforts to conserve Dugongs and Manatees?
Yes, there are numerous conservation efforts worldwide to protect both Dugongs and Manatees and their habitats.
How long can Dugongs and Manatees live?
Both Dugongs and Manatees can live for several decades under the right conditions.
Are Manatees and Dugongs endangered?
Both Dugongs and Manatees face threats and are protected species, with some populations being endangered.
Which is larger, a Dugong or a Manatee?
While sizes vary, some species of Manatees can be larger than Dugongs.
Do Dugongs and Manatees have predators?
While they have few natural predators, humans pose the most significant threat due to boat strikes, habitat destruction, and entanglement.
Why are they called "sea cows"?
Due to their slow movements and herbivorous diet, both Dugongs and Manatees are colloquially known as "sea cows".
Are Dugongs found in the Americas?
No, Dugongs are not native to the Americas, whereas Manatees are.
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Written by
Fiza RafiqueFiza Rafique is a skilled content writer at AskDifference.com, where she meticulously refines and enhances written pieces. Drawing from her vast editorial expertise, Fiza ensures clarity, accuracy, and precision in every article. Passionate about language, she continually seeks to elevate the quality of content for readers worldwide.
Edited by
Tayyaba RehmanTayyaba Rehman is a distinguished writer, currently serving as a primary contributor to askdifference.com. As a researcher in semantics and etymology, Tayyaba's passion for the complexity of languages and their distinctions has found a perfect home on the platform. Tayyaba delves into the intricacies of language, distinguishing between commonly confused words and phrases, thereby providing clarity for readers worldwide.
