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dugong

Say Hello to the Peaceful Dugong

  • 31 January, 2019
  • Critter Man
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  • 548 Views
  • 1 Likes
Daily Critter Facts

The slow moving, gentle dugong is the only strict oceanic mammalian herbivore (eats only plants). These beautifully odd creatures are on the brink of extinction due to several factors, including hunting, pollution, drowning fatalities from fishing nets, and environmental decline. They also may have been the inspiration for tales of mermaids. They can be found in coastal waters off of the Red Sea, East Africa, Australia, Japan, and the Philippines.

First the Stats…

Scientific name: Dugong dugon
Weight: Over 800 lbs.
Length: 8.4 feet
Lifespan: Up to 70 years

Now on to the Facts!

1.) The dugong has a specially evolved mouth that allows for easy grazing of sea grass. They graze day and night.

2.) They can consume up to 90 pounds of sea grass a day!

3.) Being a mammal they have to surface to breathe air approximately every 5 – 6 minutes.

4.) These cool critters communicate with chirp-squeaks, trills, and even barks.

5.) They typically swim slowly at about 5 knots (6 mph). They can accelerate if needed to 10 knots (12 mph).

But wait, there’s more on the dugong!

6.) During pubescence the males develop tusks. Females do not.

7.) Their primary predators are crocodiles, killer whales, sharks, and humans.

Did you know…?
In shallow waters these creatures are able to prop themselves up on their tails breaching the water with their heads.

8.) The pregnancy lasts a year and ends with the birth of a single calf.

9.) Dugongs typically keep to themselves or exist in pairs. Though they have been seen in herds of 100 or more!

10.) The dugong is now legally protected throughout their range, however populations are still listed as vulnerable by the IUCN.

Now a Short Dugong Video!

Learn more about all kinds of cool critters here.

Be sure to comment below!

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Critter Man

With over 45 years of critter experience to my credit and hundreds of zoology teaching hours to people around the world, I have amassed not only a continuing thirst for critter knowledge but a desire to teach others all I can about the majesty and wonder of our natural world. Critter Science is a culmination of such knowledge. I have hands on as well as book acquired intel on all kinds of critters. Whether they're on land, sea, or in the air. I will never say that I know everything about all animals. That's impossible, even for a savant. But, that being said, ask me any animal question and I'll answer it. If I don't know the answer, I'll get an answer for you!

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