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Dugongs and other sirenians are not closely related to other marine mammals, being more related to elephants. [18] Dugongs and elephants share a monophyletic group with hyraxes and the aardvark , one of the earliest offshoots of eutherians .
Dugongs are large marine mammals often called sea cows due to their herbivorous diet and slow, gentle nature. They are related to both manatees and—surprisingly—elephants. They live in warm coastal waters from East Africa to Australia, grazing on underwater grasses as their main food source.
Often referred to as sea cows, the closest relatives to the Sirenia are elephants and hyraxes. The dugong (Dugong dugon) is the only living member of the Family Dugongidae. The dugong is the only marine herbivorous mammal, depending largely on seagrass for food.
- Dugongs Are Also Called Sea Cows. Dugongs have very muscular cleft upper lips that stick out over their mouths. These bristled and ultra-sensitive snouts are very strong and allow dugongs to root around the ocean floor and grab seagrass.
- They are Closely Related to Elephants. There were once other Dugongidae species like dugongs in the oceans, like the Steller’s sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas).
- You Can Guess a Dugong’s Age by Looking at the Rings on Its Tusks. The tusks of a dugong are actually just two elongated front teeth. These stick out from their mouths and have sharp, angled edges.
- Dugongs Can Live for a Very Long Time. When dugong babies are born, they are only around 3 or 4 feet long and weigh 44 to 77 pounds. That may not seem all that small, but a fully grown dugong can grow up to 10 feet long and weigh over 1,000 pounds!
Apr 5, 2024 · In fact, dugongs (Dugong dugon) are cousins of manatees and share a similar appearance, but for their dolphin fluke-like tail, shorter fins, and long, more prehistoric-looking face. Both are related to elephants, but not hippos.
Jul 12, 2024 · Did you know that the dugong, or Dugong dugon, is more closely related to elephants than to other marine mammals? These fascinating creatures, often mistaken for manatees due to their plump bodies, have a dolphin-like tail and live exclusively in marine environments.
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They are more closely related to elephants than to fish. Dugongs are not classified as fish rather; they are considered to be marine mammals. One of the dugong’s closest land relatives is the elephant.
