Dugong
Dugong dugon
Meet the Dugong
The dugong is a large, fully aquatic marine mammal known for its gentle demeanor and distinctive fusiform body shape. Sometimes called a 'sea cow,' it grazes on seagrass meadows in warm coastal waters throughout the Indo-West Pacific region. Dugongs have paddle-like flippers, a fluked tail similar to that of a whale, and a downturned snout specialized for foraging on the ocean floor. They are the only extant species in the family Dugongidae and are closely related to manatees. Due to habitat loss, hunting, and entanglement in fishing gear, dugong populations are declining, making them vulnerable to extinction.
Wikipedia Data 🎥 6 Videos 📚 4 Sources Classification
Mammal
Habitat
Shallow coastal marine waters with seagrass beds
Diet
Herbivore
Lifespan
50–70 years
Conservation
Vulnerable
Weight
230–500 kg
📖Fascinating Facts
Seagrass Specialist
Dugongs feed almost exclusively on seagrass, shaping the underwater landscape and helping maintain healthy seagrass ecosystems.
Long Parental Care
A dugong calf stays with its mother for up to 18 months, learning essential survival skills and feeding until it can fend for itself.
Ancient Lineage
Dugongs have existed for over 50 million years, making them one of the oldest surviving species of marine mammals.
📋Detailed Description
The dugong (Dugong dugon) is a large, fully aquatic mammal reaching lengths of 2.4 to 3.3 meters and weighing between 230 and 500 kilograms. Its robust, fusiform body is streamlined for efficient swimming, with a thick layer of blubber for insulation and buoyancy. The skin is smooth and grayish, often bearing scars from encounters with boats or predators. Dugongs possess paddle-like forelimbs and a distinctive, horizontally-fluked tail, reminiscent of cetaceans, which they use for propulsion. Their downturned, muscular snout is highly specialized for uprooting seagrass, and their upper lip is split and bristled, aiding in grasping vegetation. Dugongs have small eyes and lack external ears, but their hearing is acute, compensating for limited vision in turbid waters. They are long-lived, with lifespans exceeding 70 years in the wild, and exhibit slow growth and low reproductive rates. The species is generally solitary or found in small, loose aggregations, though larger groups may form in areas of abundant seagrass. Dugongs are obligate herbivores, feeding almost exclusively on seagrass, and play a critical ecological role in maintaining healthy seagrass meadows.
💡 Did you know?
Dugongs are believed to be the origin of ancient sailor legends about mermaids due to their human-like features when seen from a distance.
🔬Research & Sources
Wikipedia Summary
The dugong 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, was hunted to extinction in the 18th century.
Last Modified: 6/2/2025
🎭Behavior & Social Structure
Dugongs are primarily crepuscular, with peak foraging activity occurring during early morning and late afternoon. They spend much of their day grazing on seagrass meadows, consuming up to 40 kilograms of vegetation daily. Dugongs use their sensitive, bristled snouts to detect and uproot seagrass rhizomes, often leaving distinctive feeding trails. While generally solitary, dugongs may form temporary groups, especially in areas with high food availability or during mating. Social interactions are typically limited, though mothers and calves maintain close bonds. Dugongs surface every few minutes to breathe, but can hold their breath for up to six minutes when resting. They communicate through a variety of sounds, including chirps, whistles, and barks, which are believed to play a role in social cohesion and mother-calf interactions.
👶Reproduction & Life Cycle
Dugongs exhibit a slow reproductive rate, with females reaching sexual maturity between 6 and 17 years of age. Mating occurs year-round in some regions, but may peak seasonally depending on local environmental conditions. Courtship involves males competing for access to females, sometimes forming 'mating herds.' After successful mating, the gestation period lasts approximately 13 to 15 months, culminating in the birth of a single calf, which measures about 1.2 meters in length and weighs around 30 kilograms. Calves are born tail-first and are able to swim immediately. Maternal care is intensive; calves nurse for up to 18 months and remain close to their mothers for several years, learning essential foraging skills. Females typically give birth at intervals of 3 to 7 years, contributing to the species' vulnerability to population decline.
🛡️Adaptations & Survival
Dugongs have evolved a suite of adaptations for their fully aquatic, herbivorous lifestyle. Their dense, pachyostotic bones provide ballast, counteracting buoyancy and allowing them to graze on the seafloor. The downturned, muscular snout and split upper lip are highly specialized for uprooting and consuming seagrass. Their lungs are elongated and positioned dorsally, aiding in buoyancy control and efficient gas exchange. Dugongs possess a large, complex gastrointestinal tract, with a multi-chambered stomach and an enlarged cecum, facilitating the digestion of fibrous plant material through microbial fermentation. Their low metabolic rate and thick blubber layer help conserve energy and maintain body temperature in variable marine environments. Behavioral adaptations include the ability to travel long distances in search of food and the use of sound for communication in turbid coastal waters.
📚Research Sources
🎨Cultural Significance
Dugongs have held cultural significance for coastal communities across the Indo-Pacific for millennia. In some regions, they are featured in folklore and mythology, often associated with mermaids or sea spirits. Traditional hunting of dugongs for meat, oil, and bones has occurred in Australia, the Pacific Islands, and parts of Southeast Asia, with some Indigenous groups maintaining regulated, customary harvests. Dugongs are also important in ecotourism and conservation education, serving as flagship species for the protection of seagrass ecosystems. Their gentle nature and rarity have made them symbols of marine conservation efforts in many countries.
🔬Recent Research & Discoveries
Recent research has focused on dugong population genetics, revealing significant regional structuring and highlighting the need for localized conservation strategies. Satellite telemetry studies have provided insights into dugong movement patterns, habitat use, and migration corridors, informing marine spatial planning. Ongoing research is investigating the impacts of climate change and coastal development on seagrass meadows and dugong health. Notably, a 2022 study documented the functional extinction of dugongs in Chinese waters, underscoring the urgency of conservation action. Advances in non-invasive monitoring, such as environmental DNA (eDNA) sampling, are improving the detection and assessment of dugong populations in remote or turbid habitats.
🎥Wildlife Videos
Manatees and Dugongs in Danger | Blue Realm | Free Documentary Nature
Blue Realm - Episode 11: Manatees and Dugongs in Danger Each year, hundreds of critically endangered manatees are killed in ...
Free Documentary - Nature
6/16/2025
The Dugong: Nature's Mystery Mermaid (Wildlife Documentary) | Real Wild
Australia is fortunate to have the largest Dugong population in the world. Ben Cropp meets with scientists and experts from the ...
Real Wild
6/16/2025
Dugongs: The Last Sea Mermaids | SLICE WILD | FULL DOC
Inoffensive and difficult to observe, dugongs are mysterious creatures. Although often described as unsightly, a number of myths ...
SLICE Wild
6/16/2025
The Dugong: the Ocean's Vacuum Cleaner | Wild Egypt
About National Geographic Wild: National Geographic Wild is a place for all things animals and for animal-lovers alike. Take a ...
Nat Geo Animals
6/16/2025
What in the World is a Dugong? | National Geographic
About National Geographic: National Geographic is the world's premium destination for science, exploration, and adventure.
National Geographic
6/16/2025
Is It Too Late For The Manatees? (Wildlife Documentary) | The Blue Realm | Real Wild
Each year, hundreds of critically endangered manatees are killed in U.S. waters by boats, disease and cold weather. With only a ...
Real Wild
6/16/2025
🌍Habitat Information
The Dugong typically inhabits Shallow coastal marine waters with seagrass beds environments. Dugongs have adapted to their environments with specialized features and behaviors.
Primary Habitat:
Shallow coastal marine waters with seagrass beds
More detailed habitat information will be available soon.
🛡️Conservation Status
The Dugong is currently classified as Vulnerable. Conservation efforts are crucial for preserving this species for future generations.
Common Threats:
- 🏠Habitat loss and fragmentation
- 🌡️Climate change impacts
- 🎯Hunting and poaching
- 🏭Human-wildlife conflict
⚠️Threats & Conservation Challenges
Dugong populations are declining throughout their range due to a combination of anthropogenic and natural threats. The primary threat is habitat loss and degradation, particularly the destruction of seagrass meadows from coastal development, pollution, and destructive fishing practices. Dugongs are highly susceptible to entanglement in fishing nets and accidental capture (bycatch), which can result in injury or death. Illegal hunting for meat, oil, and other body parts persists in some regions. Boat strikes are a significant cause of mortality, especially in areas with heavy maritime traffic. Dugongs are also affected by climate change, which alters seagrass distribution and increases the frequency of extreme weather events. Populations are fragmented and often isolated, reducing genetic diversity and resilience. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with some regional populations, such as those in China, considered functionally extinct.
🔬Scientific Classification
Scientific Name
Dugong dugon
Classification Hierarchy
🔍 About Taxonomic Classification
Taxonomic classification is a hierarchical system used by scientists to classify and organize living organisms based on shared characteristics and evolutionary relationships.
The system moves from broad categories (Kingdom) to increasingly specific ones, with each animal's scientific name typically consisting of its Genus and species.
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