Search results
Jul 21, 2018 · The mammary glands of females in the Sirenia genus are located on their upper bodies near their armpits, which are likely to have contributed to the reported ‘mermaid’ sightings of explorers and sailors. While manatees can be found in estuarine and fresh waters, dugongs are strictly marine mammals. They also possess a dolphin fluke-like tail.
- Myths in The Museum
The mammary glands of females in the Sirenia genus are...
- Jen Datiles
The mammary glands of females in the Sirenia genus are...
- Meet The Team
There are currently 15 UCL researchers in our Postgraduate...
- Museum Collections
This is the third segment in the Myths in the Museum series;...
- Primates
I started writing this blog post whilst sat in a...
- Neanderthal
Moving to the Grant Museum, you can see some great examples...
- Pigments
Other sources of green colour included an artificial green...
- Evolution
Dugongs derive their name from the Malay word duyung,...
- Myths in The Museum
In languages like Ilocano, Mapun, Yakan, Tausug, and Kadazan Dusun of the Philippines and Sabah, the name for dugongs is a synonym for "mermaid". [10] In Malay , they are sometimes referred to as perempoen laut ("woman of the sea") or putri duyong ("dugong princess"), leading to the misconception that the word "dugong" itself means "lady of the sea".
- Overview
- Where to go
- What to do
- Ways to help
The dugong is said to have influenced ancient mermaid legends.
A lesser known cousin of the manatee, the dugong (Malay for “lady of the sea”) is said to have inspired ancient mermaid legends. “Seeing dugongs in the wild is an extremely special experience,” says environmental scientist Erina Molina, who got hooked on life under the sea when she snorkeled for the first time at age 15. Now, a decade later, this National Geographic explorer is dedicated to preserving the wonders of the marine world; she enlists fishers of the Philippines to help track dugongs. Here she shares tips on how to encounter this vulnerable herbivore.
Molina recommends two spots where it’s very likely for snorkelers and divers to come face to face with dugongs. In the crystalline waters of Calauit Island, Philippines, locals lead conservation-minded tours that often include an appearance by Aban, a sea cow celebrity. “The best time to see dugongs here is from March to early June, when the water ...
When swimming with dugongs, go in small groups of four or five and limit encounters to 15 minutes. Keep a safe distance—around 15 feet away—and resist the urge to touch an animal. Instead, Molina advises, “keep still and be quiet.” If you’re snorkeling, move your fins slowly to avoid slapping the water. As long as they don’t feel disturbed, dugongs...
Don’t buy products made from dugongs (leather, charms, jewelry, traditional medicine). They are strictly regulated, and in some cases banned, by an international treaty. To help keep coastal waters clean, avoid single-use plastics.
2:03
Is it a Mermaid? Or a Dugong?
This large vegetarian mammal is a relative of the manatee and is thought to have inspired the myths behind mermaids
•Nat Geo Expeditions
Book your next trip with Peace of Mind
Apr 5, 2024 · The dugong is the only exclusively marine mammal that is herbivorous. It grazes on sea grasses day and night, spending most of its life in sea beds. The dugong’s brain is very small compared to its body size, weighing a maximum of about 11 oz, about 0.1% of the animal's body weight. The disparity is likely because the dugong does not have to ...
Aug 2, 2022 · The dugongs' link to mermaid mythology is usually attributed to their pectoral mammary glands – which have been likened to human breasts! ... Dugongs generally have one calf every few years from ...
Jan 25, 2023 · In fact, the dugong has remained the inspiration behind recreating a mermaid-like creature for their sculptures, paintings and stories as well. ADVERTISEMENT REMOVE AD
People also ask
Do dugongs have mermaids?
Is a dugong a mermaid or a manatee?
How is a dugong different from other marine mammals?
Why do mermaids hunt Dugongs?
Where do dugongs come from?
Are dugongs herbivorous?
Aug 25, 2022 · Dugongs, the pudgy marine mammals that once inspired homesick sailors' fanciful tales of mythical mermaids, are now extinct in China, new research shows. For hundreds of years, these gentle giants ...
