For information about the Gothic metal band, see Sirenia (band)

Sirenia is an order of fully aquatic, herbivorous mammals that inhabit rivers, estuaries and coastal marine waters. Commonly called manatees, dugongs, or seacows, they have major aquatic adaptations: forelimbs have modified into arms used for steering, the tail has modified into a paddle used for propulsion, hindlimbs (legs) are but two small remnant bones floating deep in the muscle. They appear fat, but are fusiform and hydrodynamic. Skulls are highly modified for taking breaths at the water's surface and dentition is greatly reduced. They have only two teats, located under their forelimbs, similar to elephants (see the picture of manatee mother/calf pair).

Manatees (Trichechidae) and dugongs (Dugongidae) are endangered species. All four living species are vulnerable to extinction from habitat loss and other negative impacts related to human population growth and coastal development. Manatees and dugongs are the only marine mammal classified as herbivores. Unlike the other marine mammals (dolphins, whales, seals, sea lions, sea otters, and walruses) sirenians only eat seagrasses and other aquatic vegetation. Unlike other marine mammals, sirenians have an extremely low metabolism and zero tolerance for cold water. Like dolphins and whales, manatees and dugongs are totally aquatic mammals that never leave the water - not even to give birth. The combination of these factors means that sirenians are restricted to warm shallow coastal waters, estuaries, and rivers, with healthy ecosystems that support large amounts of seagrass and/or other vegetation.

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RT @BLABBERMOUTHNET @sireniaofficial SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://bit.ly/5WMGs1
ChaliceOFM (ChaliceOf FemmeMetal) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:25:37 -0000
RT @BLABBERMOUTHNET @sireniaofficial SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://bit.ly/5WMGs1
RT @BLABBERMOUTHNET @sireniaofficial SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://bit.ly/5WMGs1
NoctConcerto (NoctConcerto) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:25:31 -0000
RT @BLABBERMOUTHNET @sireniaofficial SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://bit.ly/5WMGs1
SIRENIA SOUTH AMERICAN DATES Mar 06 - São Paulo, Brazil - Carioca Club Mar 07 - to be announced - If it's going to be Porto Alegre i'll come
FPadilha (Fábio Padilha) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 11:05:53 -0000
SIRENIA SOUTH AMERICAN DATES Mar 06 - São Paulo, Brazil - Carioca Club Mar 07 - to be announced - If it's going to be Porto Alegre i'll come
RT @BLABBERMOUTHNET: SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://bit.ly/5WMGs1
thoughtsofnoise (Thoughts Of Noise) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:59:37 -0000
RT @BLABBERMOUTHNET: SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://bit.ly/5WMGs1
SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://bit.ly/5WMGs1
BLABBERMOUTHNET (BLABBERMOUTH.NET) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:58:13 -0000
SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://bit.ly/5WMGs1
Kris Empire - SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://tinyurl.com/ygjnrza
krisempire (Kris Empire of KHIGH) Tue, 15 Dec 2009 10:58:11 -0000
Kris Empire - SIRENIA Announces Mexican/South American Dates http://tinyurl.com/ygjnrza

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