One of the two species found in the waters of our country.
Which one do you think is the Dugong and which one is the Manatee? (Illustration: Thành Luân)
Dugong (Scientific name: Sirenia) and Manatee (Scientific name: Trichechus) are two marine creatures that look quite similar, making them easy to confuse at first glance. Both belong to the order Sirenia, hence their similar morphology (see the image below).
Dugongs are marine animals with a fusiform body, often referred to as mermaids or sea cows due to their tail resembling that of a mermaid. Their forelimbs are paddle-shaped, used for steering while swimming, and their skin is very thick with sparse hair.
Their heads are relatively large compared to their body size, and Dugongs have poor eyesight but compensate with an extremely keen sense of smell. Their lips are very thick, equipped with bristles and flat surfaces to adapt to a diet of seagrass and algae on the ocean floor.
Dugong. (Photo: Wiki)
Male Dugongs have tusks similar to those of elephants, which are highly sought after by hunters due to their high value. Currently, Dugongs are critically endangered (CR) according to the Vietnam Red List and are classified as vulnerable in the World Red List (IUCN).
Dugongs typically live and migrate in pairs, swimming very slowly and posing no danger to humans; they sleep during the day and forage at night. Occasionally, Dugongs surface to breathe, with a breath-holding capacity of about 15 minutes.
Each day, a Dugong can consume between 10 to 30 kg of seagrass, and they have a relatively long lifespan of over 70 years. Currently, their population is very low, primarily distributed in the Indian-West Pacific region, including Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar, Papua New Guinea, and Vietnam…
Manatee. (Photo: Wiki)
Manatees are also fully aquatic mammals that feed on vegetation, but they are typically larger than Dugongs. Manatees have shorter snouts compared to Dugongs, with a larger upper lip that is very flexible, allowing them to grasp food and interact socially.
Unlike Dugongs, Manatees do not have tusks and even lack incisors, possessing only a set of molars that can regrow throughout their lives. Their tails are paddle-shaped, resembling that of a whale.
The stomach of a Manatee is also much simpler than that of a Dugong (Dugongs have a very long digestive system for nutrient absorption). Manatees tend to be more solitary compared to Dugongs, with males chasing females during the breeding season. They forage during the day.
Manatees must also surface to breathe (surfacing every 20 minutes). When threatened, Manatees can move quite quickly (up to 30 km/h), and they can live up to 60 years.
Each day, a Manatee can eat up to 50 kg of food (usually water hyacinth, seagrass, algae, etc.), which is about 10% – 15% of their body weight. Manatees are highly intelligent, similar to dolphins and seals.
Simple ways to distinguish between Dugongs and Manatees
Differences between the tails of Dugongs and Manatees. (Photo: Discover the Animal World)
There are many differences that can help distinguish between Dugongs and Manatees, but the quickest way is by examining the shape of their tails. Specifically, the tail of the Dugong is crescent-shaped (like a mermaid’s tail), while the tail of the Manatee is rounded and paddle-like.
Additionally, there are other characteristics that can help us differentiate these two marine creatures, such as mouth shape, skin texture, size, and weight (see the images below).
Distinguishing between Dugongs and Manatees. (Photo: Thành Luân)
Above are quick ways to distinguish between these two unique and rare marine species based on their appearance. Of the two, only Dugongs are found in the waters of our country (in the waters of Con Dao and Phu Quoc).
