Sirenians

With the exception of whales, my favorite animals are the Sirenia. These gentle marine mammals are another extraordinary story of how evolution is not a linear progression but instead, radiates in any direction to take advantage of ecological niches. Sirenians are found in warm waters all over the world but are few in number.

Today, there are only four species - three manatees and one dugong. Until the 1700s, there was also a cold water sirenian weighing up to 3600 kg – the Steller’s Sea Cow. As usual, humans ate them into extinction. Nice.

If you want to meet a manatee you can go to Florida to do so.

They’re so cute!

- Just a peasant