Sealion vs. Manatee — What's the Difference?
By Tayyaba Rehman & Urooj Arif — Updated on April 23, 2024
Sealions are agile marine mammals known for their external ear flaps and ability to walk on land, whereas manatees are gentle, slow-moving aquatic mammals with paddle-like flippers and no external ears.
Difference Between Sealion and Manatee
Table of Contents
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Key Differences
Sealions belong to the family Otariidae, which includes animals with external ear flaps and the ability to rotate their rear flippers forward to walk on land. In contrast, manatees are part of the order Sirenia, characterized by their large, paddle-shaped tail and absence of hind limbs.
Sealions are carnivorous, primarily eating fish and squid, showcasing their agility and speed in water during hunting. On the other hand, manatees are herbivores, feeding mainly on underwater vegetation in calm rivers and coastal waters, reflecting their slow-moving and peaceful nature.
Sealions are often found in coastal waters and are known for their loud barking noises and social behavior in large colonies. Conversely, manatees are typically solitary and inhabit warmer waters, primarily in shallow, slow-moving rivers, estuaries, and coastal areas.
The body of a sealion is streamlined for swimming, with a layer of blubber for insulation against cold ocean temperatures. Meanwhile, manatees have a more rounded body to store fat and maintain buoyancy but lack significant blubber, as they live in warmer waters.
In terms of conservation, both species face threats from human activities, but manatees are often at higher risk due to their slow reproductive rates and vulnerability to boat strikes and habitat loss.
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Comparison Chart
Family/Order
Otariidae (eared seals)
Sirenia
Habitat
Coastal, subarctic to tropical
Warmer rivers and coastal areas
Diet
Carnivorous (fish, squid)
Herbivorous (aquatic plants)
Social Behavior
Social, forms large colonies
Mostly solitary
Locomotion
Walk on land, agile swimmers
Slow swimmers, no land mobility
Conservation Concerns
Vulnerable to pollution and fishing
High risk from boat strikes
Compare with Definitions
Sealion
Found in diverse climates from subarctic to tropical coastal waters.
The California sealion is commonly seen sunning itself on docks.
Manatee
Generally solitary creatures, occasionally seen in small groups.
A mother manatee and her calf swam close together, a rare sight of companionship.
Sealion
A marine mammal known for its external ear flaps and ability to walk on land.
The sealion entertained visitors with its ability to clap and bark.
Manatee
A large, slow-moving aquatic mammal with no external ears and a paddle-like tail.
The manatee moved gracefully through the shallow water, its tail waving slowly.
Sealion
Known for their playful and social nature in colonies.
A group of sealions barked loudly as they competed for space on the beach.
Manatee
Vulnerable to human-induced threats such as boat strikes.
Conservation efforts are crucial to protect manatees from increasing boat traffic in their habitats.
Sealion
Eats a diet mainly composed of fish and squid.
Sealions are often seen hunting in groups to catch their prey.
Manatee
Primarily found in warm, shallow coastal waters and rivers.
Manatees are often spotted in the calm waters of Florida’s springs.
Sealion
Their agility in water makes them excellent swimmers.
The sealion dove repeatedly, showcasing its sleek, agile movements.
Manatee
Herbivorous, feeding on a variety of aquatic plants.
The manatee grazed on seagrasses, consuming up to 10% of its body weight daily.
Sealion
To intrude on a conversation with disingenuous questions in an attempt to engage in unwanted debate as a form of harassment.
Manatee
Manatees (family Trichechidae, genus Trichechus) are large, fully aquatic, mostly herbivorous marine mammals sometimes known as sea cows. There are three accepted living species of Trichechidae, representing three of the four living species in the order Sirenia: the Amazonian manatee (Trichechus inunguis), the West Indian manatee (Trichechus manatus), and the West African manatee (Trichechus senegalensis).
Sealion
(uncommon) sea lion
Manatee
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.
Sealion
One who engages in sealioning.
Manatee
Any of several plant-eating marine mammals, of family Trichechidae, found in tropical regions.
Manatee
Any species of Trichechus, a genus of sirenians; - called also sea cow.
Manatee
Sirenian mammal of tropical coastal waters of America; the flat tail is rounded
Common Curiosities
What distinguishes a sealion from a manatee?
Sealions have external ear flaps and limbs that allow them to walk on land, whereas manatees have a large paddle-like tail and no hind limbs.
What do manatees eat?
Manatees are herbivores, primarily feeding on a wide variety of underwater vegetation.
Can sealions swim well?
Yes, sealions are excellent swimmers, using their streamlined bodies and powerful flippers to maneuver in water.
What type of social structure do manatees have?
Manatees are mostly solitary but can occasionally be found in small, loosely associated groups, especially in favored feeding or resting areas.
Where can you typically find sealions?
Sealions are found in coastal waters across subarctic to tropical climates, often sunning on rocks or docks.
How do sealions interact in their environment?
Sealions are highly social and vocal, often seen interacting loudly and playing in large colonies.
Are manatees ever found in cold waters?
Manatees prefer warmer waters and are primarily found in tropical and subtropical environments.
How do conservation efforts benefit sealions?
Conservation efforts focus on protecting their natural habitats, reducing pollution, and managing fisheries to ensure sustainable populations.
What can be done to help protect manatees?
Efforts include enforcing boat speed regulations, conserving warm-water habitats, and raising public awareness about the species' vulnerability.
Why are manatees considered at risk?
Manatees face threats from habitat loss, boat strikes, and pollution, compounded by their slow reproductive rates.
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Written 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.
Co-written by
Urooj ArifUrooj is a skilled content writer at Ask Difference, known for her exceptional ability to simplify complex topics into engaging and informative content. With a passion for research and a flair for clear, concise writing, she consistently delivers articles that resonate with our diverse audience.
