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- Order Sirenia dugongs, manatees, and sea cows
animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dugong_dugon/classification/
The dugong (/ ˈd (j) uːɡɒŋ /; Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal. It is one of four living species of the order Sirenia, which also includes three species of manatees.
Dugongs, often affectionately referred to as “sea cows,” are large marine mammals known for their gentle demeanor and distinctive body shape. These creatures, closely related to manatees, have intrigued humans for centuries, sometimes even being mistaken for mythical mermaids.
- Mammalia (Mammals)
- Chordata
- Sirenia
The dugong (Dugong dugon) 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.
The dugong is 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.
- Shallow warm coastal waters
- Mainly in Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
- Up to 70 years
- 8 to 10 feet
6 days ago · dugong, (Dugong dugon), marine mammal that inhabits the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, feeds on seagrasses, and is similar to the manatee.
Dugongs belong to the order Sirenia, so named for the mammary glands akin to human breasts and their nursing behavior. Because of this, some sailors call dugongs mermaids or sirens, from which the name was created.
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May 27, 2024 · Despite their aquatic nature, dugongs share the same traits as other terrestrial mammals in almost all characteristics, including the structure of the skeleton and the presence of mammary glands directly under the fins.
