Dugong

Facebook Twitter Reddit Pinterest Email Dugongs are among the fascinating animals in the ocean and are responsible for some of the most exciting folklore and sightings near the equator. These animals are gentle herbivores, closely related to the manatee, and are the last animal of the mostly-extinct Dugongidae family. These creatures are highly protected worldwide, with dugong conservation efforts prevalent in many southern hemispheres, from Australia to Thailand. Table of Contents • • • • Dugong Diet: What Do Dugongs Eat? Since dugongs are herbivores, their diet consists exclusively of seagrass. They are often referred to as “sea cows” because of their grazing habit below the waves. Dugongs live in very shallow, temperate water where seagrass flourishes, and they need to eat plenty of it to stay healthy. These animals tend to graze 24 hours a day, ferreting out seagrass with their snouts. Although their food source is below the waves, dugongs can’t be underwater for extended periods. Like other mammals such as whales, dugongs need to breathe air. They can only remain below the surface for up to six minutes at a time, which is most likely why they prefer shallower areas. Dugong Habitat These animals live predominantly in the Pacific and Indian oceans near the equator. They prefer tropical coastal regions. Although dugongs live mostly in Australia, these gentle giants also live near Madagascar, India, and Thailand. They live in the ocean but sometimes might find themselves ...

Dugong Profile The dugongis a herbivorous marine mammal sometimes referred to as a ‘sea cow’, and one of four living species that belongs to the order Sirenia . They graze on underwater grasses and have an adorable, plump appearance, with a dolphin tail, round head and downward snout. Dugong Facts Overview Habitat: Shallow warm coastal waters Location: Mainly in Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean Lifespan: Up to 70 years Size: 8 to 10 feet Weight: 500-1100 lbs (500kg) Color: Born cream colored, darken with age into a deep gray Diet: Mainly seagrass Predators: Few natural predators, young are preyed upon by crocodiles, killer whales, and sharks Top Speed: Capable of swimming at 10-12 knots for up to 1 km No. of Species: 1 Conservation Status: Vulnerable They were first discovered in Australia, which is home to the largest population. Since then, they have also been found in the Persian Gulf, the eastern Red Sea, and in Indian Ocean waters. Sighted in shallow bays and reefs, dugongs are the only member of the Sirenia order to live exclusively in saltwater environments. Their forelimbs are paddle-shaped while their tails are fluked. They don’t have a dorsal fin or hind limbs. They diet on seagrass, and migrate to different locations when seagrass is not available. Dudong’s can live for a long-time, with the oldest dugong to date was documented to have been 73-years old. Sadly hunting, habitat destruction, and accidental collisions with boats has lead to the depletion of some popu...

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