A dugong’s tough upper lip is perfectly shaped to grab and pull up seagrass from the ocean floor!
Dugongs (Sea Cows) - Facts for Kids
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Facts About Dugongs (Sea Cows) For Kids
Conservation & Population
There are estimated (guessed by scientists) to be less than 85,000 dugongs left in the wild today!
Dugongs are listed as vulnerable to extinction (in danger of disappearing forever) by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN)!
The largest population (group) of dugongs lives in the waters between Australia and Papua New Guinea!
Boat strikes (being hit by boats) are one of the biggest threats to dugongs because they swim slowly and often feed near the surface!
Some countries have created special protected areas called ‘dugong sanctuaries’ (safe places) to help protect these amazing animals!
Dugongs are sometimes called ‘sea cows,’ but they’re actually more closely related to elephants than to cows!
Scientists use special flying drones and plane cameras to count and study dugongs.
Special Adaptations
A dugong’s lungs stretch along most of its back and act like a funny air-filled weight belt — helping it stay nice and level in the water when it eats seagrass!
Dugongs use a slow heart rate underwater thanks to their natural “dive reflex”. This helps them conserve oxygen during feeding dives — but their heart doesn’t beat very slowly all the time.
Interesting Behaviors
Dugongs usually swim together in loose groups, traveling side by side or in small clusters to move between feeding spots!
During mating season, dugongs sometimes gather in loose breeding herds — with one female swimming alongside several males for a day or two!
Baby dugongs often ride above their mother’s broad back, helping them rest while traveling long distances!
Historical and Cultural Significance
The name “dugong” comes from a Malay word meaning “lady of the sea.” That’s why sailors sometimes thought dugongs were real-life mermaids!
In many seaside cultures, people have told stories and songs about dugongs for hundreds of years! Some tales even say dugongs started out as humans or bless people who treat them with respect.
Dugongs have lived in Earth’s oceans for over 50 million years, surviving many changes in climate and sea levels!
Dugongs were once found throughout the Indo-Pacific region, but their range (area where they live) has shrunk due to hunting and habitat loss (losing their homes)!
Scientists can tell how old a dugong is by studying the growth rings in their tusks, similar to counting tree rings!
Unique Features
A dugong’s bones are extra dense (heavy), which helps them stay underwater while feeding without having to swim constantly!
A dugong’s tail fluke is shaped differently from a manatee‘s, making it more efficient (better) at swimming in the open ocean!
Dugongs have very few body hairs, but each one is sensitive and helps them detect movement in the water!
Daily Life & Routines
Dugongs spend many hours each day slowly grazing on seagrass, like underwater lawn mowers!
Dugongs often swim closer to shore in the afternoon and evening to munch on fresh seagrass, then head offshore during the night and morning!
Dugongs are known to take many small naps or rest periods between grazing sessions, often floating near the surface in shallow water to relax and breathe.
Comparisons with Other Marine Life
While dolphins use echolocation (sound bouncing) to find food, dugongs rely on their sensitive whiskers!
Unlike whales that eat fish, dugongs are one of the few marine mammals that eat only plants!
While seals have visible ears, dugongs have internal ear openings that help them hear underwater!
Unlike most marine mammals, dugongs can’t jump out of the water because their bodies are too heavy!
More Fun Facts
Many coastal people once nicknamed dugongs “sea pigs” because they’re slow, hefty, and look a bit like pigs when swimming!
