Sirenians [Sirenia]
Description
The Sirenia order encompasses the manatees and the dugong, often referred to as sea cows. These large, slow-moving marine mammals are herbivorous, feeding primarily on seagrasses and other aquatic vegetation. They are characterized by their paddle-like flippers, a flattened tail used for propulsion, and a nearly hairless, thick skin. Sirenians are found in warm coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers in regions like the Caribbean Sea, the Amazon basin, the West African coast, and the Indo-Pacific region. They are the only marine mammals that are strictly herbivorous.