The Dugong

The Dugong (sometimes refered to as a "Seacow") is a mammal, that is, it suckles its young. Dugongs are large grey mammals which spend their entire lives in the sea. Though Acquatic it breathes air through lungs and has live babies not eggs like fish. Dugongs swim by moving their broad spade-like tail in an up and down motion, and by use of their two flippers.

Physical Description

The Dugong may reach 3m in length and weigh almost 500 kgs. They have a thick layer of fat giving them a distinctly rotund posture, small paddle-like flippers positioned far forward on the body and a broad, flattened, powerful tail that resembles the tail of whale.

The ochre brown skin of a Dugong appears smooth, but a really close view reveals a rough surface covered in pits from which grow short, thick hairs. Dugongs have 2 nostrils near the top of their heads on a "fleshy lip", which can curl up to make breathing easier on the surface.

Habitat

In Australia, Dugongs swim in the shallow coastal waters of northern Australia were they find protection from large waves and storms. Dugongs surface only to breathe, and never come on to land. They like to live in large herds, but due to declining numbers are often now found in smaller "family" groups of between 1 and 3 Dugongs

Breeding

Female Dugongs give birth underwater to a single calf every three to seven years. Birth takes place in shallow water and the baby dugong is able to swim to the top of the water for its first breath. Baby dugongs are about 100 to 120cm long and weigh 20 to 30 kg. The calf stays with its mother, drinking milk from her teats and following close by until 18-24 months of age.
Dugongs reach adult size between 9 and 17 years of age, and have a lifespan similar to humans,if left alone

Numbers & Location - Australia

The largest remaining dugong population in the world. In 1991 the northern Australian population was estimated at approximately 17,000 with 12,500 in the Torres Straits and 1,700 in the northern Great Barrier Reef.

Defence

Dugongs are slow-moving and have little protection against predators. Being large animals, however, only large sharks, Saltwater Crocodiles and Killer Whales are a danger to them. Dugong (Sea Cow) Males have ivory tusks used for fighting during male-male rivalry as well for uprooting seagrasses. Young Dugongs hide behind their mothers when in danger.

Diet

Dugongs are sometimes called "Sea Cows", because they graze on seagrasses. These marine plants look like grass growing on a sandy sea floor in shallow, warm water. Dugongs eat large amounts of seagrass, leaving behind feeding trails of bare sand and uprooted seagrass.