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Dugongs are semi-nomadic, often traveling long distances in search of food, but staying within a certain range their entire lives. [20] Large numbers often move together from one area to another. It is thought that these movements are caused by changes in seagrass availability.
Dugongs (Dugong dugon), also known as sea cows, have a broad but fragmented range, encompassing tropical waters from East Africa to Vanuatu, about 26 degrees both north and south of the equator. This range spans at least 48 countries and about 140,000 km of tropical coastline.
- Dugong Species. There are 4 species in the dugong family, 3 out of the 4 are manatees and only 1 is dugong: “Dugong dungon”, which is the species we have here in North Sulawesi.
- Appearance. Dugongs are often referred to as “sea cows” due to their heavy, solid looking bodies. They are a greyish brown color and range in length from 2.4 meters up to 4 meters and adults weigh from between 230 – 400 kilograms.
- Behavior. Dugongs are a social species and found in groups which can vary in size from just 2 to 200 individuals. Pairs of dugongs found together are often mother and calf pairs.
- Feeding. Dugongs are the only completely herbivorous marine mammal on the planet and their diet consists entirely of sea grass. They use their upper lips to uproot the entire sea grass plant rather than eating only the leaves – this leads to dugong “trails” which are like sandy pathways through sea grass beds.
Dugongs are shy in their nature, and when they feel threatened, they flee quickly. If they don’t, they typically look around the vessel or swim away from the vessel without getting closer. The Dugong is a herbivore and feeds primarily on seagrass. They may also eat jellyfish, sea squirts, and shellfish. Below are 50 dugong fun facts.
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.
Though they do travel long distances, Dugongs are not a migratory species. They are solitary creatures, though can be found in pairs. Despite their solitary nature, Dugongs constantly communicate with one another through a series of echoing chirps, whistles, and barks.
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Jan 1, 2009 · Dugongs respond to large-scale seagrass dieback by using at least two strategies (1) move away from the affected area, and/or (2) postpone breeding. Episodic seagrass diebacks occur relatively frequently in some regions and this frequency may be increased by climate change.
