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A female enters maturity between the ages of 12 and 17 years of age and may have one calf every three to seven years. A calf can swim as soon as it is born and is nursed by its mother. Baby dugongs have also been seen to suck on their fin for comfort and either swims beneath its mother under her fin or rides on top of her.
- Dugong
- Dugong dugon
- Herbivore, feeding exclusively on seagrasses
- Mammal
Sexual maturity is reached within 6-12 years old in males and at 6 years old in females, although females of this species usually first give birth within 6-17 years old. Becoming mature, young dugongs rush to leave their mother, looking for mates.
The dugong (/ ˈ d (j) uː ɡ ɒ ŋ /; Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal.It is one of four living species of the order Sirenia, which also includes three species of manatees.It is the only living representative of the once-diverse family Dugongidae; its closest modern relative, Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas), was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.
Despite their solitary nature, Dugongs constantly communicate with one another through a series of echoing chirps, whistles, and barks. Female Dugongs can give birth to one calf per pregnancy and birth every 3 to 7 years over their 70-year lifespan. Young Dugongs stay with their mothers for the first few months of life.
- Description of The Dugong
- Interesting Facts About The Dugong
- Habitat of The Dugong
- Distribution of The Dugong
- Diet of The Dugong
- Dugong and Human Interaction
- Dugong Care
- Behavior of The Dugong
- Reproduction of The Dugong
- Beliefs, Superstitions, and Phobias About The Dugong – The “Siren”
The dugong is a gray/brown marine mammal with a torpedo-shaped body. They are considerably more streamlined in appearance than their rather rotund relative, the manatee. Dugongs also differ from their manatee cousins in the shape of their tails. While manatees have large, rounded tails, dugongs have almost triangular shaped fins (similar to a dolph...
Dugongs differ from their closest living relative, the manatee, in a number of ways. These unique characteristics set dugongs apart from many other marine mammals. 1. A Truly Marine Mammal– Dugongs are the only species in the order Sirenia (dugongs and manatees) that lives in an exclusively marine environment. Manatees are mainly freshwater animals...
Dugongs prefer warm, shallow waters near the coast. Though they have been found in deeper waters, dugongs’ food source (sea grass) thrives in shallow water with plenty of sunlight. Dugongs also prefer feeding in protected bays.
Dugongs are found in a number of locations near the equator. Populations of dugongs can be found in the waters surrounding East Africa, South Asia, and Australia. The largest population of dugongs can be found off the coast of Australia, from Western Australia to Queensland.
Dugongs feed on a wide variety of sea grass species, and will occasionally eat algae and jellyfish. Populations in different locations will feed on different species of sea grass.
Historically, dugongs and manatees have made an easy target for hunters, as they are relatively slow moving. In recent years, dugongs have become popular in ecotourism, and tourists pay to swim with the dugongs, or to view the animals from boats.
Few dugongs are kept in human care, and knowledge of their needs is sparse. Because sea grass is impractical to grow for feeding, animals in aquariums are generally fed lettuce. This diet has worked well for manatees in the United States.
Dugongs tend to remain solitary or in small groups, but have been seen in large numbers for breeding. They travel along shallow coasts feeding on sea grass, and can feed for up to six minutes at a time before surfacing to breathe. Because they live in shallow waters, dugongs have been known to stand on their tails when surfacing for air.
Dugongs in different populations have different breeding behavior. In some populations, a male will guard a territory from other males, and females will come to him to breed. In other populations, male dugongs will battle for breeding rights over a female. Dugongs have a 13-15 month gestation, and give birth to a single calf. They generally move to...
It is common legend that sailors would mistake manatees for mermaids at sea. This is actually where the manatee and dugong family Sirenia got its name! Sirenia is derived from the Greek word “siren,” referring to Greek mythology. It is believed that dugongs, rather than manatees, were the source of these legends. Because dugongs are the only solely...
The animal creates something resembling a nest, which serves as a breeding location for a group of dugongs. The guys encounter one female and compete to inseminate her. Females need 13 to 15 months to give birth, and a baby dugong will stay by its mother’s side until it is 18 months old, at which point it will become independent.
Mar 27, 2018 · The name 'dugong' derives from the Malay word 'duyung', meaning 'lady of the sea'. These gentle giants grow up to 3m in length and weigh up to 420kg. A dugong calf stays with its mother for about 18 months. They can stay underwater for up to 6 minutes before having to surface for air.
