Sirenians are a group of aquatic mammals in the order Sirenia, including manatees and dugongs. They are remarkable for their fully aquatic, herbivorous lifestyle, slow metabolism, paddle-like forelimbs, and robust, streamlined bodies adapted for life in warm coastal waters and rivers.
- Strictly herbivorous, feeding mainly on seagrasses and aquatic vegetation.
- Move slowly due to low metabolic rates, conserving energy in aquatic environments.
- Possess dense bones to counteract buoyancy, enabling them to graze underwater.
- Include manatees (Trichechus) and dugongs (Dugong dugon), both vital for maintaining healthy seagrass ecosystems.
Sirenians are defined by their aquatic herbivory, slow metabolism, and paddle-like forelimbs.
Sirenians belong to the order Sirenia.
Manatees and dugongs are sirenians.
Sirenians maintain seagrass beds.
Dense bones help sirenians stay submerged.
Manatees are members of *Trichechus*.