3. INTRODUCTION
•The Dugong is a medium sized marine animal.
•It is grey-brown with a torpedo shaped body.
•They are more streamlined in appearance than their
rotund Relative called manatee . manatee and dugong
:
Dugong
Manatee
MANATEE
DUGONGS
4. LOCATION
• Dugongs prefer warm, shallow waters protected from large waves and storms.
Their food ( sea grass) is available in shallow water.
• They are mostly found near the coast of Indian ocean and Western Pacific ocean.
They may go deeper in water, further offshore.
Dugongs location
5. DIET
• Since dugongs are herbivores, their diet consists exclusively of seagrass. They are often
referred to as “sea cows” because of their grazing habit below the waves. Dugongs live in
very shallow, temperate water where seagrass flourishes, and they need to eat plenty of it
to stay healthy.
• These animals tend to graze 24 hours a day, ferreting out seagrass with their snouts.
Although their food source is below the waves, dugongs can’t be underwater for extended
periods. Like other mammals such as whales, dugongs need to breathe air. They can only
remain below the surface for up to six minutes at a time, which is most likely why they
prefer shallower areas.
6. REPRODUCTION
Dugongs in different populations have different breeding behavior.
In some populations, a male will guard a territory from other males,
and females will come to him to breed. In other populations, male
dugongs will battle for breeding rights over a female.
Dugongs have a 13-15 month gestation, and give birth to a single
calf. They generally move to very shallow waters to give birth, as
this affords additional protection from predators. The mother
dugong helps the baby surface for its first breath when it is born. A
calf will nurse for up to 18 months, but remains with its mother until
it reaches sexual maturity.
7. ADAPTATION
• They rarely live in deep waters, as they have learned that shallow environments are a
better fit for their feeding habits and typically slow swimming
• They are not physically adapted for self-defense, so they have learned to adapt their
behavior to avoid conflict.
• When they are near to each other they rely on vision and touch for communication,
when they are far; they make loud voices to contact.
• Upper lips are covered with bristles so that they can find grass for food.
• They have flattened tail to swim easier underwater.
8. FUN FACTS
• Believe it or not, the closest land relative to the dugong is the elephant.
• You can estimate a dugong's age by how many rings that they have on their tusks
• Dugongs breathe in oxygen from above the surface of the water through their
nostrils. A dugong can hold its breath for up to 11 minutes and dive up to 33 meters
to feed.
• Dugong weight is approximately 300 kg.
