Dugong

Dugong skeleton displayed at Philippine National Museum

DugongForelimbSkel

Dugong dugon fin egypt

Dugong - underside

Dugong Lamen Island Epi Vanuatu

Dugong (Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal which belongs to the family Dugongidae, one of four living species of the order Sirenia, which also includes three species of manatees. The dugong 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. The dugong is also the only strictly marine herbivorous mammal, as all species of manatees use fresh water to some degree.

Description

Dugongs are large, grey mammals which spend their entire lives in the sea. Fully grown, they can measure up to 3 meters (9.8 ft) in length and weigh as much as 900 kilograms (1980 pounds). Their bodies are fusiform (torpedo-shaped) to reduce drag in the water and they have flippers and a unique tail fluke that assists in propulsion. The face of the dugong is downturned, an adaptation for grazing on underwater grasses.

Habitat and Distribution

Dugongs inhabit warm coastal waters from the western Pacific Ocean to the eastern coast of Africa, with notable populations in the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific Ocean. They are most commonly found in shallow, protected areas such as bays, mangrove channels, and the waters around islands, where seagrass beds, their primary source of food, are abundant.

Diet

The diet of the dugong is primarily composed of seagrass. They use their sensitive bristled snouts to dig up the grasses and their dense, bristled pads to crush and eat them. This diet is the reason dugongs play a crucial role in the marine ecosystem, as they help to maintain healthy seagrass beds, which are important for carbon sequestration and as habitats for other marine life.

Reproduction

Dugongs are slow to reproduce, reaching sexual maturity at around 6 to 17 years of age. They have a long gestation period of about 13 to 15 months, after which a single calf is born. The calf then stays and nurses with the mother for 18 months to 2 years, during which time the mother cannot conceive again. This slow reproduction rate makes dugongs particularly vulnerable to threats.

Conservation Status

The dugong is classified as Vulnerable by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN). Major threats include habitat destruction, particularly from coastal development and industrial activities that damage seagrass beds; entanglement in fishing nets; and hunting in some countries for their meat, oil, and skin. Conservation efforts are focused on protecting habitats, enforcing hunting bans, and implementing marine protected areas.

Cultural Significance

Dugongs have a rich cultural significance in many of the regions they inhabit. They are often featured in the folklore and traditions of coastal and island communities. In some cultures, dugongs are seen as a symbol of good luck and protection.