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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.
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.
Dugongs can reach 17 years of age before they start to breed and when they do they will only reproduce every 3 - 7 years. Predators The main predators of Dugongs are sharks, killer whales and crocodiles. Subspecies Subspecies of Dugong include: Dugong dugon dugon Dugong dugon hemprichii Interesting Facts Dugongs are also known as: Sea Cow
Dugongs are cousins of manatees and share a similar plump appearance, but have a dolphin fluke-like tail. And unlike manatees, which use freshwater areas, the dugong is strictly a marine mammal. Commonly known as "sea cows," dugongs graze peacefully on sea grasses in shallow coastal waters of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans.
Unlike the closely related manatees, the dugong never enters freshwater and is therefore the only exclusively herbivorous marine mammal. Learn more about dugongs.
On the other hand, dugongs cannot be bred in captivity. Population number According to the WWF (World Wildlife Fund), the overall dugong population is estimated to be about 85,000 animals, living in the waters of northern Australia, from Shark Bay (Western Australia) to Moreton Bay (Queensland).
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Sirenians (manatees (Trichechus spp.) and dugongs (Dugong dugon)) are the only marine mammals that routinely feed on plants, and both manatees and dugongs may be found foraging individually or in large groups. Manatee feeding appears to be more flexible than that of dugongs as the former will consume either floating or rooted vegetation or sometimes leaves from overhanging branches or ...
