Facts: The Dugong

Summary

The dugong, a gentle marine mammal with a blimp-like body, thrives in tropical waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans, predominantly in Northern Australia. These 10-foot herbivores, known for their crescent-shaped tails and seagrass diet, surface frequently to breathe and travel in herds over 100 strong. Despite their longevity of up to 70 years, dugongs face threats from fishing nets, marine debris, and habitat loss. Mating involves tusk fights in males, and calves nurse for two years, with births every 3 to 7 years.

Takeaways

• 🐋 The dugong is a slow-moving marine mammal with a distinctive blimp-like body and a crescent-shaped tail.
• 🌊 Dugongs inhabit tropical and subtropical waters, primarily in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with the majority found in Northern Australia.
• 🌿 As large herbivores, dugongs primarily feed on seagrass and are typically found in calm, shallow waters near seagrass beds.
• 📏 Dugongs can grow up to 10 feet (3 meters) in length and swim using their flippers and a broad tail.
• 🌱 When feeding, dugongs uproot the entire seagrass plant, unlike some other marine herbivores.
• 🏊‍♂️ Dugongs must surface frequently to breathe, typically every few minutes.
• 👀 Despite having small eyes, dugongs navigate their environment with relatively poor eyesight.
• 🐟 Dugongs travel in herds that can consist of over 100 individuals.
• 🦈 Predators of dugongs include large sharks, killer whales, and saltwater crocodiles.
• ⚠️ Dugongs face threats from entanglement in fishing nets, marine debris, and habitat loss due to coastal development.
• 🐘 Adult male dugongs have small tusks used for fighting during mating season.
• 👶 Female dugongs give birth to a single calf every 3 to 7 years, with pregnancies lasting up to 15 months and nursing periods extending to two years.
• 💡 Dugongs have a long lifespan and can live for up to 70 years.

Q & A

What is a dugong?

A dugong is a slow-moving marine mammal with a blimp-like body and a crescent-shaped tail, primarily found in tropical and subtropical waters.

In which oceans can dugongs typically be found?

Dugongs are found in the Indian and Pacific Oceans, with the majority of their population occurring in Northern Australia.

How do dugongs swim and what body parts do they use for this?

Dugongs swim using their flippers and by moving their broad tail up and down.

What is the primary diet of dugongs?

Dugongs are herbivores and feed almost exclusively on seagrass.

Why are dugongs usually found in calm, shallow waters?

They are typically found in calm, shallow waters near seagrass beds because that is their main food source.

How often do dugongs need to surface to breathe?

Dugongs must surface to breathe every few minutes.

What are the characteristics of dugong eyesight?

Dugongs have small eyes with poor eyesight.

What is the typical size of a dugong herd?

Dugong herds may contain over 100 animals.

What are the main predators of dugongs?

Predators of dugongs include large sharks, killer whales, and saltwater crocodiles.

What threats do dugongs face in the wild?

Dugongs are threatened by entanglement in fishing nets and marine debris, as well as the loss of their habitat from coastal development.

What is unique about the tusks of adult male dugongs?

Adult male dugongs have small tusks that they use to fight each other during mating season.

How often do female dugongs give birth and what is the duration of their pregnancies?

Females give birth to a single calf every 3 to 7 years, with pregnancies lasting up to 15 months.

How long do dugong calves nurse and what is the maximum lifespan of a dugong?

Calves may nurse their mothers for up to two years, and dugongs are capable of living for 70 years.