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Dugong dugon
- The scientific name of the dugong is simply Dugong dugon.
www.animalsatozforkids.com/dugong/
The dugong is easily distinguishable from the manatees by its fluked, dolphin-like tail; moreover, it possesses a unique skull and teeth. Its snout is sharply downturned, an adaptation for feeding in benthic seagrass communities.
May 27, 2024 · Scientific Name. The scientific name of the dugong is simply Dugong dugon. This name probably comes from the local Visayan word for the species, which was later picked up by Europeans. Visayan is spoken in what is now the modern-day Philippines.
- Female
- April 22, 1960
Dugongs are related to manatees and are similar in appearance and behavior— though the dugong's tail is fluked like a whale's.
6 days ago · As with whales and dolphins, the dugong has a tapered body that ends in a deeply notched tail, or fluke. The forelimbs are rounded flippers lacking nails; there are no hind limbs nor any discernible neck.
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
Common names for the dugong include ‘sea cow,’ ’sea pig,’ and ‘sea camel.’ Their name comes from the Talagog name ‘dugong’ which come from the Malay term ‘duyung’ which means ‘lady of the sea.’
Tipping the scales at an impressive 400kg, the dugong is a cousin of the manatee. Sharing a pudgy, plump body shape, the dugong has a dolphin fluke-like tail and lives exclusively in salt water, unlike its fresh-water swimming relative.