Search results
Oct 4, 2019 · What Do Dugongs Eat? Dugongs are strict herbivores that feed on seagrass, especially the Hydrocharitaceae and Potamogetonaceae family of seagrasses. They prefer seagrasses that are low in fiber content, high in nitrogen, and easily digestible.
Dugongs are also widely hunted in Papua New Guinea, the Solomon Islands, Vanuatu, and New Caledonia; where their meat and ornaments made from bones and tusks are highly prized in feasts and traditional rituals.
Dugongs are herbivores (graminivores) and primarily feed on seagrass. They will occasionally eat invertebrates such as jellyfish, sea squirts, and shellfish. Populations in Moreton Bay, Australia, feed on invertebrates such as polychaetes or marine algae.
Dugong Diet: What Do Dugongs Eat? Since dugongs are herbivores, their diet consists exclusively of seagrass. They are often referred to as “sea cows” because of their grazing habit below the waves.
Feb 27, 2024 · Despite protective laws, Dugongs are hunted in some regions for their meat, oil, and skin. It’s a grim picture, but awareness and action are key to turning the tide for these vulnerable vegetarians.
6 days ago · In the past dugongs were widely and heavily hunted by humans for their meat, hides, and oil. Although now protected by law throughout their range, dugongs in some areas remain in danger of local extinction because of excessive hunting and habitat degradation.
Unlike manatees, which can be found in freshwater, dugongs only live in saltwater. Seagrass meadows, extensive underwater areas dominated by various species of seagrasses, serve as their primary feeding areas. These meadows are typically found in calm, shallow waters, estuaries, lagoons, and inlets.
