Order SIRENIA. Manatees, Dugongs, and Sea- 

 cows 



Highly specialized aquatic mammals of large size; body 

 fusiform; head rounded; muzzle truncate; nostrils separate, 

 valvular; eyes small; mouth of comparatively small size, 

 lips set with bristles; tail flat, broad, expanded horizontally; 

 no dorsal fin; forelimbs developed as swimming paddles; no 

 trace of hind limbs; bones dense and massive; habit com- 

 pletely aquatic; diet herbivorous. 



Family Trichechidas. Manatees 



Characters as given for the Order Sirenia and under the 

 genus Trichechus. 



Genus Trichechus 



Dentition: Incisors, |; Canines, J]; Premolars and Molars, 

 I to j4 = 32 to 52. 



Manatee. — Trichechus latirostris (Harlan) 



Names. — Florida Manatee; Florida Seacow; American 

 Manatee. 



General Description. — ^A large, heavily-built, aquatic 

 mammal of psuedo fish-like form. Body robust and rounded; 

 head grotesque, with thick pendulous lips and blunt, truncate 

 muzzle; upper lip cleft medially; forelimbs modified into broad 

 flappers; no traces of hind limbs; tail broad, fiat, horizontal; 

 eyes minute; nostrils valve-like; external ear very small, a mere 

 orifice. Skin practically naked but muzzle set with stiff 

 bristles. 



Color. — Everywhere dull grayish. 



Measurements. — A large male which was in the New York 

 Aquarium measured 7 feet, 6 inches in length and weighed 

 432 pounds. Bangs records a female 11 feet, 4 inches long 

 and two others, sex not given, as 12 feet and 13 feet, 7 inches 



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