1. Manatees and Dugong
Sirenians (order Sirenia) include the manatees and dugong
Sirenians, also known as sea cows, have a pair of front flippers, but no rear limbs
Swim with up-and-down strokes of their paddle- (manatee) or V- (dugong) shaped tails
Closest land relative is the elephant!

2. Manatees

3. The Florida Manatee

4. Dugong

5. Manatees and Dugong
Sirenians are the only herbivorous marine mammals; feed on aquatic plants and algae
Some species live in fresh and/or brackish water
Inhabit temperate or subtropical waters
Severely threatened by motor boat collisions, harmful algal blooms, pollution, and severe winters

6. Stellar’s Sea Cow (the sirenian you’ll never see)
The Stellar Sea Cow was a large, herbivorous marine mammal formerly abundant in the North Pacific
Described by naturalist Wilheim Stellar in 1741; hunted to extinction within 27 years of discovery!
8 meters long
Fed on kelp
Did otter hunting play a role?