Dugongs are close relatives of manatees and are similar in size and proportion. One of the largest differences between the two animals is the fact that dugongs have a fluked tail similar to dolphins and porpoises while manatees have a single large horizontal round paddle-like tail. Dugongs also had small tusks. Their ribs and vertebrae are very heavy and dense and preserve very well as fossils.
Dugong rib section (Metaxytherium floridanum) Miocene Epoch Peace River DeSoto County, Fla.
Dugong Rib Section 14" Peace River Hardee county, Fla.
Dugong skull-cap 6" Miocene Epoch Peace River, DeSoto County, Fla.
Underside of same skull-cap
Dugong vertebra 4" Miocene Epoch Peace River, Hardee County, Fla.
Dugong Tooth 1-1/2" Miocene Epoch Peace River, Arcadia, Fl.
Top view of same Dugong Tooth
Dugong upper arm bone (humerus) 6-1/2" Miocene Epoch Peace River, Arcadia Fl.
Same dugong humerus, different view
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