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Despite the longevity of the dugong, which may live for 50 years or more, females give birth only a few times during their lives and invest considerable parental care in their young. [97] The time between births is unclear, with estimates ranging from 2.4 to 7 years.
- Dugong vs. Manatee
- Slow-Moving and Slow-Growing
- Using Hair to See
- Big Boned
- Silent Predators
Dugongs are easily distinguished from manatee species by their dolphin-like tail, whereas manatees have hind fins more similar to a seal or walrus. They also have other specific adaptations such as a down-turned snout that allow it to feed specifically on seagrass with its unique, peg-like molar teeth.
Much like they move, dugongs also grow slowly. Females give birth to just one calf after a year-long pregnancy. Her young will remain close to her for up to 18 months. Because of their long life span (70 years) and slow reproduction rates, dugong populations are vulnerable despite legal protection. Humans have hunted dugongs for thousands of years,...
Dugongs have poor eyesight but good hearing. They are also covered head to tail with short hairs. These hairs are most concentrated around the mouth and are thought to help them navigate the seagrass beds, much like dogs and cats use their whiskers as a navigational aid.
Dugong bones have almost no bone marrow inside and are very solid. In fact, dugong bones are among the densest in the entire animal kingdom. These may act as a type of ballast, allowing the animal to remain effortlessly suspended just below the surface of the water when resting. Sometimes, they will rest their tail on the bottom to anchor themselve...
Although adult dugongs have few predators due to their size, they are quite susceptible to pathogens including helminths, cryptosporidium, and other bacterial and parasitic infections. In fact, in Queensland, Australia, up to 30% of dugong deaths are due to disease. Even still, the biggest threat to dugongs is habitat loss and death at the hands of...
- Shawn Laidlaw
- Sirenia
- Mammalia
- Chordata
Jul 12, 2024 · Dugongs can live up to 70 years. Their slow reproduction and long lifespan make them vulnerable to threats, as it takes a long time for the population to recover. Dugong Habitat and Distribution. Dugongs are marine mammals found in warm coastal waters. They’re closely tied to seagrass habitats, which are critical for their feeding and survival.
Average Life Span In The Wild: 70 years. Size: 8 to 10 feet. ... and they were long sought for their meat, oil, skin, bones, and teeth. Dugongs are now legally protected throughout their range ...
Unlike the closely related manatees, the dugong never enters freshwater and is therefore the only exclusively herbivorous marine mammal. Learn more about dugongs.
Nov 15, 2024 · Dugongs range in length from about 2.2 to 3.4 metres (7 to 11 feet) and weigh 230 to 420 kg (500 to 925 pounds). As with whales and dolphins, the dugong has a tapered body that ends in a deeply notched tail, or fluke.
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They are speculated to supplement their diet with invertebrates such as polychaete worms, shellfish and sea squirts which live in seagrasses. (Lawler, et al., 2002; Marsh, et al., 2002; Spain, et al., 1977; "ARKive. Images of Life on Earth.", 2003) Dugongs use their flexible upper lip to rip up entire seagrass plants.
