dugong

Dugong (Dugong dugon), commonly called the sea cow, is a large marine mammal of the order Sirenia. It is the only extant member of the family Dugongidae and the genus Dugong. Adult dugongs have a fusiform body, a paddle-shaped tail analogous to whales, and a downturned, flexible snout used to forage seagrass. Males often bear tusks.

Dugongs inhabit warm, shallow coastal waters and bays with abundant seagrass beds. Its range stretches from East Africa through the Indian Ocean to the western Pacific, including the Red Sea, the Arabian Sea, South and Southeast Asia, and northern Australia. They prefer clear waters with soft sediment suitable for grazing.

Dugongs are herbivores, feeding almost exclusively on seagrass. They can ingest large amounts daily, and their foraging can shape seagrass meadows. They are slow swimmers and often graze in shallow waters, surfacing every few minutes to breathe. Reproduction occurs infrequently; gestation about 12 months, and females typically give birth to a single calf every 2-3 years.

Dugongs face threats from habitat loss, pollution, coastal development, and entanglement in fishing gear. Boat strikes can cause serious injuries. Climate change affects seagrass beds and water temperatures. They are listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with monitoring and protection efforts in many countries, including marine protected areas and restrictions on hunting and live capture.