Dugongs, often called "sea cows," are gentle marine mammals that graze the seagrass meadows of the warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans. Close cousins of the manatee, they're known for their rounded, fluked tails and surprisingly long lifespans.
Here are verified facts about these remarkable animals, from their diet and biology to the threats they face and how people are working to protect them.
Dugongs live in shallow coastal waters, seagrass meadows, and mangrove-fringed bays across tropical and subtropical regions of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
Adult dugongs typically grow to about 2.4 to 3.4 meters (roughly 8 to 11 feet) long and weigh between 230 and 420 kilograms (about 500 to 925 pounds).
Dugongs have a torpedo-shaped body, paddle-like flippers, and a fluked tail similar to a whale's, which helps distinguish them from the rounder, paddle-tailed manatee.
Dugongs are herbivores that feed almost exclusively on seagrass, and a single adult can consume tens of kilograms of it in a day.
Dugongs are among the longest-lived marine mammals, with documented individuals reaching 70 years of age or more.
Dugongs face major threats including habitat loss, pollution, boat strikes, and accidental entanglement in fishing nets.
Dugongs are generally solitary or found in small groups, though large herds can gather temporarily in areas with abundant seagrass.
Dugongs communicate using chirps, whistles, and barks, along with body language such as tail slapping.
Female dugongs typically reach sexual maturity between about 6 and 17 years of age.
Dugong gestation lasts roughly 13 to 15 months, and mothers usually give birth to a single calf.
Because of their long gestation and slow reproduction, female dugongs usually give birth only once every 2.5 to 7 years.
The dugong is classified as Vulnerable on the IUCN Red List, with populations declining across much of its range due to human activities.
Dugongs hold deep cultural significance for many Indigenous communities in the Indo-Pacific, who regard them as totemic animals tied to marine traditions.
Dugongs can undertake seasonal movements in search of seagrass beds, following changes in water temperature and food availability.
Dugongs can hold their breath for several minutes at a time, though they typically surface every couple of minutes to breathe.
Dugongs are the only strictly marine herbivorous mammal; manatees, by contrast, also live in rivers and freshwater habitats.
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