Search results
May 27, 2024 · The dugong is one of four living members of the order Sirenia — the others being three species of manatees — and the only living member of the family Dugongidae. A second member of the family, Steller’s sea cow, was driven to extinction in the 18th century due to overhunting. Nineteen total genera from the family are known from the fossil ...
- Female
- April 22, 1960
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.
- 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!
15. They can hold their breath for over 10mins. Dugong’s need to breath in oxygen from the surface, and then they are able to hold their breaths for up to 11mins at a time and can dive as deep as 33 meters to feed on the sea bed. 16. They may have been the inspiration for mermaid legends.
- Shallow warm coastal waters
- Mainly in Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
- Up to 70 years
- 8 to 10 feet
Interesting Facts About the Dugong. 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. A Truly Marine Mammal – Dugongs are the only species in the order Sirenia (dugongs and manatees) that lives in an exclusively marine environment.
Some believe that dugongs were the inspiration for ancient seafaring tales of mermaids and sirens. ... Common Name: Dugong. Scientific Name: Dugong dugon. Type: Mammals. Diet: Herbivore. Group Name:
People also ask
Is a dugong a manatee?
What is the scientific name for a dugong?
Is a dugong a sea cow?
How do dugongs differ from other marine mammals?
What was the first animal to have a dugong-like appearance?
Where does the word dugong come from?
The colour of the skin may change throughout their life due to algae growing on the skin. Located just behind the head is a pair of flippers, one on each side of the body. Some dugongs have short tusks on their face. The dugong can measure up to 3 metres (9.8 feet). The average weight for dugongs is 420kg (926lb).
