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Dugongs are large marine mammals often called sea cows due to their herbivorous diet and slow, gentle nature. They are related to both manatees and—surprisingly—elephants. They live in warm coastal waters from East Africa to Australia, grazing on underwater grasses as their main food source. They share many physical characteristics with ...
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.
May 23, 2018 · Manatees have also developed a lower metabolic rate allowing them to use 25% less energy than other mammals of their size. Since manatees are so large and slow-moving, they are vulnerable to motorboat accidents, crowded waters and fishing nets. i. Dugongs are also herbivores and have a similar diet to manatees.
- Evolution and Systematics
- Physical Characteristics
- Distribution
- Habitat
- Behavior
- Feeding Ecology and Diet
- Reproductive Biology
- Conservation Status
- Significance to Humans
- Species Accounts
The oldest sirenians are from the early Eocene and are related to elephants, hyraces, and the extinct desmostylids. The Dugongidae appeared at the end of the Eocene. The subfamily Dugoninae probably appeared in the early to middle Oligocene, but the subfamily Hydrodamalinae did not appear until the early Miocene and was endemic to the North Pacific...
The dugongids have a streamlined, nearly hairless body reaching a length of 9.8 ft (3 m) for the dugong (Dugong dugon) and 23–33 ft (7–10 m) for Steller's sea cow (Hydrodamalis gigas). They lack hind limbs, but do have vestigial pelvic bones embedded in the pelvic musculature. The tail is forked, similar to that of a cetacean's flukes. Forelimbs ar...
The recent dugongids are distributed disjunctively in the tropical and subtropical Indo-Pacific (dugong) and western North Pacific (Steller's sea cow).
The dugongids occupy a coastal marine habitat dictated by the presence of sea grasses and macroalgae (sea cow only).
In general, the dugongids may be described as "semi-social," with the primary social unit being the female and her calf. Little is known about the behavior of Steller's sea cow. The dugong may occur in herds numbering in the tens or hundreds in areas of abundant sea grass. Satellite-tracked dugongs have been shown to make regular, short distance (9...
The dugongids are marine herbivores feeding almost exclusively on sea grasses (the dugong) and on macroalgae (Steller's sea cow). Steller's sea cows apparently fed on the surface and were not known to dive. Being toothless and the kelp being avascular, the sea cows crushed the kelp fronds between horny, keratinized plates at the front of their uppe...
Little is known about sirenian reproductive biology in general, and the dugongids are no exception. Typically, single calves are born after a gestation period of about a year and remain with the cow for more than a year. Male dugongs are not known to provide any parental care. Steller's sea cow reproductive biology is speculative. Steller wrote of ...
Steller's sea cow is Extinct, while the dugong is Vulnerable to extinction under IUCN criteria. CITES Appendix I lists the dugong as Endangered under the United StatesEndangered Species Act. Increasing human activity (boating, fishing, inland habitat destruction) in coastal dugong habitats has the potential for directly injuring dugongs (boat colli...
The dugong has been hunted for meat, hides, and bone, and is of cultural significance to some indigenous peoples in the Indo-Pacific region. The Steller's sea cow was hunted to extinction. This event, in the mid-sixteenth century, shows how much pressure humans can exert on the environment.
Unlike the manatee, dugongs live exclusively in marine habits. One can quickly distinguish the two based on their tails—manatees possess paddle-shaped tails while the dugong’s is dolphin-like (fluked). 3. Dugongs have been nicknamed “sea cows” Known to graze on sparse seagrass patches, dugongs are often called “sea cows”.
- Shallow warm coastal waters
- Mainly in Pacific Ocean and Indian Ocean
- Up to 70 years
- 8 to 10 feet
Sep 25, 2019 · Some may be aware that it’s a sea cow, something similar to the manatee. But they don’t know much more. This is a shame for two reasons. The first is that dugongs (Dugong dugon) are beautiful ...
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Jul 14, 2023 · Key Takeaways: Dugongs are gentle sea creatures with a unique appearance, long lifespan, and vital role in maintaining the balance of seagrass ecosystems. Conservation efforts are crucial to protect their populations and ensure their survival. Dugongs, also known as “sea cows,” are herbivorous marine mammals found in warm coastal waters.
