ExploreMammal

Dugong

Dugongs are gentle sea creatures that love to munch on sea grass. They are friendly and often called 'sea cows' because of their shape.

Appearance

The Dugong is a large, greyish-brown marine mammal with a smooth, thick skin and a broad, fluke-like tail similar to a dolphin's. It has short, paddle-like front flippers and a unique, downward-pointing snout covered in stiff whiskers.

KingdomAnimaliaPhylumChordataClassMammaliaOrderSireniaFamilyDugongidaeGenusDugong

Dugong

Interesting facts

Baby dugongs, called calves, stay with their mothers for up to two years!

Dugongs are the only marine mammal that eats *only* plants!

Their closest land relatives are elephants and manatees!

They are called 'sea cows' because they graze on underwater grasses!

Special abilities

Dugong has stiff sensory whiskers that help them find tasty seagrass in murky or dark underwater environments.

Dugong can use their tough, downward-pointing snout to dig up nutritious seagrass roots from the ocean floor.

Dugong can glide efficiently through the water with their dolphin-like fluke, conserving energy for their plant-based diet.

Measurements & details

Length: 240-400 cm
Weight: 230-500 kg
Lifespan: 50-70 years
Top Speed: 22 km/h
Litter Size: 1
Gestation: 365-425 days

Diet & Feeding

Gentle giants that munch on vast amounts of delicious underwater seagrass.

Age differences: Calves rely solely on mother's milk for the first few months, gradually introducing seagrass until fully weaned around 1.5-2 years of age.

Primary Foods

Halophila ovalis
Thalassia hemprichii
Cymodocea serrulata
Zostera capensis

Foraging Method

Grazing

Ecological connections

eaten by

Tiger Shark

Galeocerdo cuvier

Large sharks prey on young or weak dugongs.

eaten by

Orca

Orcinus orca

Orcas, or 'killer whales', are known predators of dugongs.

eats

Sickle-leaved Seagrass

Thalassia hemprichii

A primary food source, providing essential nutrients for dugongs.

eats

Paddleweed Seagrass

Halophila ovalis

Dugongs extensively graze on this common and nutritious seagrass.

Traits

Wildlife

Step into the incredible world of wild animals and plants living freely in nature. From tiny insects to towering trees, it's all part of the wild wonders around us!

Furry

Find adorable animals covered in a cozy coat of soft fur! Their fur helps them stay warm and protected in different environments.

Social

Discover creatures that love to live and work together! These animals form groups, helping each other find food, stay safe, and raise their young.

Herbivorous

Meet the peaceful munchers and grazers who find all their nourishment from plants, leaves, and fruits. They transform plant energy into life!

Longevous

Marvel at organisms that have an incredible capacity to live for a very, very long time, sometimes spanning centuries or even millennia. They are the elders of the natural world!

Aquatic

Discover amazing creatures that call water their home, whether it's oceans, rivers, or lakes! These habitats are full of incredible life.

Marine

Dive into the vast, salty waters of the ocean, teeming with an incredible diversity of life, from tiny plankton to giant whales! It's a watery wonderland.