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Who is dugong in real life?
The dugong (/ˈdjuːɡɒŋ/; Dugong dugon) is a medium-sized marine mammal. It is one of four living species of the order Sirenia, which also includes three species of manatees….Dugong.
| Dugong Temporal range: Miocene-recent | |
|---|---|
| Vulnerable (IUCN 3.1) | |
| Scientific classification | |
| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
Why is the dugong important to humans?
Dugongs are the world’s only vegetarian marine mammal and are reliant on seagrasses for food. Seagrass ecosystems with dugongs indicate a healthy ecosystem. When seagrass are healthy they play an important role in securing the dietary needs of coastal communities and millions of consumers of fish and seafood globally.
What are dugongs behavior?
Behavior of the Dugong Dugongs tend to remain solitary or in small groups, but have been seen in large numbers for breeding. They travel along shallow coasts feeding on sea grass, and can feed for up to six minutes at a time before surfacing to breathe.
Do dugongs mate for life?
Like the manatee, they are mammals, so they give live birth and nurse their young. Females can breed when they are about six years old. This is true for some males, but for others it can be up to 12 years. In all of them, the female dugongs will mate with more than one male.
Why are dugongs so important?
Wherever they survive, dugongs play an important role in maintaining coastal ecosystems. Their constant browsing of seagrass encourages regrowth – ensuring critical habitat and feeding sites for a host of other marine species, including turtles, dolphins and sawfish.
Can a manatee mate with a dugong?
Both manatees and dugongs are primarily solitary animals but have very different approaches when it comes to partners. Manatees are devout polygamists. A male manatee can have several female partners. Dugongs, on the other hand, have only one mate, and they live as a couple for life.
Which is the only living member of the Dugong family?
It 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 the only sirenian in its range, which spans the waters of some 40 countries and territories throughout the Indo-West Pacific.
Where can you find dugongs in the world?
These enormous vegetarians can be found in warm coastal waters from East Africa to Australia, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. Dugongs are related to manatees and are similar in appearance and behavior— though the dugong’s tail is fluked like a whale’s.
Why are dugongs so important in the Philippines?
In the Philippines, dugongs are thought to bring bad luck, and parts of them are used to ward against evil spirits. In areas of Thailand, it is believed that the dugong’s tears form a powerful love potion, while in parts of Indonesia they are considered reincarnations of women.
How big is a dugong compared to a manatee?
It is the only member of the Dugongidae family, and its closest living relatives are the manatees. Dugongs can be quite large, reaching lengths of more than 13 feet (4 m) and weights more than one metric tonne. The dugong, like all sea cows, is herbivorous.