Dugong
Have you ever seen a cow? OK… how about a cow in the sea?
Well, we might never see an actual cow in the sea, but the Dugong is definitely a close second.
Critter At A Glance
What are they like? Dugongs are are distant relatives of the manatee. If you’ve ever seen a manatee, they have long bodies kind of like a sea lion or walwrus but they have a snout kind of like a cow. Duguongs are much like this with large round heads. They are very friendly looking! These sea cows graze on sea grass much like a cow grazes in a field.
Where can you find Dugongs? They live in coastal water of the Pacific and Indian Oceans. They have been spotted from East African, to the Red Sea, stretching all the way to Australia. They spend most of their time in more shallow water.
How do they raise their young? Dugongs give birth to 1 baby after a year long pregnancy. Babies stay close to their mothers and nurse for up to 1 ½ years. Adults do not have natural predators, but babies are sometimes preyed on by salt water crocodiles, killer whales, and sharks.
Let’s learn some more about Dugongs. Listen to Clara’s story below.
Are you ready for an out of this world fact?
Dugongs can grow up to 13 feet long and weight up to 595 pounds. They can also live to be 70 years old!
It’s not too late to join the Summer Story Challenge. Become a Critter Protector and track your listening this month!
Today’s Critter Challenge is to think of 3 things that are the same and 3 things that are different about a baby cow and a baby dugong.
Write them down, draw pictures, or tell someone.
Bonus points if you share @ #heymrjim. Make a short video or take a quick picture! Can’t wait to see!
“ADW: Dugong Dugon: INFORMATION.” Animal Diversity Web, https://animaldiversity.org/accounts/Dugong_dugon/. Accessed 6 July 2022.
“Dugong | National Geographic.” Animals, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/facts/dugong#:~:text=A%20young%20dugong%20remains%20close,ride%20on%20her%20broad%20back. Accessed 6 July 2022.
“Dugong - Oceana.” Oceana, https://www.facebook.com/oceana, https://oceana.org/marine-life/dugong/. Accessed 6 July 2022.