Manatee Compared to the Elephant
The manatee has several homologous structures similar to elephants. One is the shape, the shape of them is round and blubbery. This is an adaption that both the elephant and the manatee have acquired through evolution, along with their skin. The manatee and the elephant both have thick grey skin with sparse fur. The reason for the thick skin and blubber is because both the mammals have a low metabolism. This makes them unable to heat their bodies very well, so they have to stay in warm conditions in order to survive. Another is the shape of their heart. The manatee and elephant both have unusual spherical hearts, while almost every other mammal's heart has single pointed tip at the base. Because manatees and elephants are the only two mammals with this heart shape, it shows they are related.
Another trait that both the elephant and the manatee share is the shape of their teeth. They have the same teeth structure because they are both herbivores. The manatee has two abnormally large incisors that have the same resemblance as the elephants tusks. Their lips show great relation as well. The lips of the manatee and the trunk of an elephant are both built very strong. They both have acquired the trait of the strong lips because of the need to rip and tear plants. The elephant trunk rips off the pieces of vegetation and then inserts it in to the mouth. The manatee has a different feeding system though. The manatee swims along highly vegetated areas of the shallow, warm waters and rips the plants from the ground. The reason why they have to have strong lips is because the plants are strong as well. Plants have roots that are used to secure them from enemies and natural factors.
Overall there are many similar traits between the Elephant and the West Indian Manatee. Just a few of the similarities have been listed. One of the last similarities both of the animals have is that they are both endangered. They are hunted or killed by humans, even though it is illegal. Laws cannot prevent everything, so the animals need your help. Spread awareness about the endangerment of manatees and elephants. Once they are gone, they are gone forever.
Another trait that both the elephant and the manatee share is the shape of their teeth. They have the same teeth structure because they are both herbivores. The manatee has two abnormally large incisors that have the same resemblance as the elephants tusks. Their lips show great relation as well. The lips of the manatee and the trunk of an elephant are both built very strong. They both have acquired the trait of the strong lips because of the need to rip and tear plants. The elephant trunk rips off the pieces of vegetation and then inserts it in to the mouth. The manatee has a different feeding system though. The manatee swims along highly vegetated areas of the shallow, warm waters and rips the plants from the ground. The reason why they have to have strong lips is because the plants are strong as well. Plants have roots that are used to secure them from enemies and natural factors.
Overall there are many similar traits between the Elephant and the West Indian Manatee. Just a few of the similarities have been listed. One of the last similarities both of the animals have is that they are both endangered. They are hunted or killed by humans, even though it is illegal. Laws cannot prevent everything, so the animals need your help. Spread awareness about the endangerment of manatees and elephants. Once they are gone, they are gone forever.
Manatees and Hyraxes
The hyrax is also related to manatees. Hyraxes are small, rodent-like mammals with squat bodies and plump heads native to Africa and southwestern Asia. There are rock hyraxes and tree hyraxes with different behavioral habits, but all are vegetarians, just like manatees and elephants. Although they are related to manatees and elephants, hyraxes are very different in numerous ways. They are small, agile climbers with small hooves. They also have a scent gland on their backs that helps them mark their territory.
The hyrax also has some things in common with its larger relatives. Hyrax teeth are very similar to those of elephants and manatees. They have curved upper incisors that are like small tusks. Hyraxes also have molars that are similar to those of manatees, elephants and other herbivores. Like manatees, hyraxes use various noises to communicate with one another. Manatees use chirps and squeaks to talk to each other (video below) while hyraxes use a number of sounds including twitters, growls, whistles, and squeaks. Rock hyraxes also live in groups, elephants often travel in groups, and manatees sometimes do as well. Little is known about the ancestors of the hyrax, but based on fossils, scientists know that early hyraxes could be as large as horses and were closely related to animals of the order Sirenia (includes manatees) and Proboscidea (includes elephants).
The hyrax also has some things in common with its larger relatives. Hyrax teeth are very similar to those of elephants and manatees. They have curved upper incisors that are like small tusks. Hyraxes also have molars that are similar to those of manatees, elephants and other herbivores. Like manatees, hyraxes use various noises to communicate with one another. Manatees use chirps and squeaks to talk to each other (video below) while hyraxes use a number of sounds including twitters, growls, whistles, and squeaks. Rock hyraxes also live in groups, elephants often travel in groups, and manatees sometimes do as well. Little is known about the ancestors of the hyrax, but based on fossils, scientists know that early hyraxes could be as large as horses and were closely related to animals of the order Sirenia (includes manatees) and Proboscidea (includes elephants).