Dugong (Dugong dugon)
Key facts
- Scientific name
- Dugong dugon
- Common name
- Dugong
- Category
- Marine mammals
- Family
- Dugongidae
- Genus
- Dugong
- Size
- 240–400 cm
- Depth
- 1–20 m
- IUCN status
- Vulnerable (VU)
- Danger level
- Harmless
- Habitats
- seagrass-meadow
- Behaviours
- benthic, solitary
- Ocean zones
- Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean
Description
Dugong dugon reaches 4 m and 500 kg. Sirenian marine mammal (Dugongidae) Indo-Pacific with massive fusiform body brown-gray with lighter belly, rounded downward-pointing muzzle for grazing, crescent-shaped dolphin-type tail (distinction from manatees with round tails). Lives from 1 to 20 m on shallow coastal seagrass beds from Red Sea to Australia, Indian Ocean, Philippines. Strict herbivore, grazes up to 30 kg of seagrass per day. IUCN Vulnerable (collisions, nets, habitat). Privileged dive and snorkel encounters at Marsa Alam (Egypt), Palau, Australia, unforgettable for their gentleness.
Photo of Dugong
Frequently asked questions
- How big is the Dugong?
- Dugong (Dugong dugon) reaches 240–400 cm in length.
- At what depth can you find the Dugong?
- Dugong is found between 1–20 m deep.
- Is the Dugong dangerous to divers?
- Danger level: Harmless.
- What is the conservation status of the Dugong?
- IUCN status: Vulnerable (VU).
- Where can you find the Dugong?
- Found in: Asian Pacific, Indian Ocean & Red Sea, Mediterranean.
Similar species
- Tursiops truncatus - Common bottlenose dolphin
- Stenella frontalis - Atlantic spotted dolphin
- Delphinus delphis - Common dolphin
- Globicephala macrorhynchus - Short-finned pilot whale
- Physeter macrocephalus - Sperm whale
- Balaenoptera physalus - Fin whale
Sources
- Taxonomy: WoRMS (AphiaID 220227)
- Photos: iNaturalist (CC BY-NC)
- Distribution: GBIF (taxonKey 9729967)
- Conservation: IUCN Red List
- Encyclopedia: Wikipedia