We must continue to pressure the Australian and Queensland governments to clean up polluted catchment run-off to ensure dugongs have seagrass to eat. Responsibility: Greg Pyers. Dugongs can sometimes be seen along the Ningaloo Reef. The vast seagrass plains of the northern Great Barrier Reef are home to one of the largest populations of dugongs in the world. The fact that they live in shallow waters puts them under great … So, healthy dugongs  means healthy seagrass and broader Great Barrier Reef health. Feeding . Dugongs are primarily herbivores, eating seagrasses and algae. Dugongs are classified as Vulnerable. Palau: a small community of dugongs live on this island, at the western limit of the Carolines. They would require very large tanks with lots of expensive maintenance. When under stress, females respond by producing fewer young, further stalling population growth. A small isolated population persists in the remote Pacific archipelago of Palau. Vagrant animals will occasionally appear as far south as southern New South Wales and near Perth in Western Australia. So even under optimal conditions, dugong populations can only ever increase by 5% a year. Dugongs have a remarkable life span of up to 70 years in the wild. The vast seagrass plains of the northern Great Barrier Reef are home to one of the largest populations of dugongs in the world. If you would like to help us, please make a donation. Photograph by Mike Parry, Minden Pictures/Nat Geo Image Collection, https://www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/d/dugong.html. • We want to write about how dugongs travel around and dive in the places where they live. For a population to remain stable, 95 percent of adults must survive the span of one year. Dugongs are pregnant for 14 months and give birth to live young. Dugongs, distant relatives of the manatee, can live for 70 years and grow to nearly 1,000 pounds. Do you think dugongs are as beautiful as mermaids? Abstract. Both are related to the elephant, although the giant land animal is not at all similar in appearance or behavior. They can eat up to 40 kilograms of seagrasses per day. You can find Dugongs in Northern Australia. Female dugongs have one calf after a yearlong pregnancy, and the mother helps her young reach the surface and take its first breath. Distribution. They live around seventy years, and the oldest dugong that has been recorded officially was 73 years of age. These enormous vegetarians can be found in warm coastal waters from East Africa to Australia, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. A dugong will have its first calf between 6-18 years old. Registered Charity Number: ACN 001 594 074 | NSW License Number: CFN 13143 With its voluptuous body, fluked tail and shy temperament, it's easy to imagine the dugong inspiring the mermaid legend. Habitat: Dugongs inhabit coastal and island waters between East Africa and Vanuatu with the seagrass plains of the Great Barrier Reef lagoon serving as prime habitat. They produce calves every two and a half to five years. Extreme weather events, of which we are likely to see more, rob the dugong of critical habitat. Dugongs are pregnant for 14 months and give birth to live young. Dugongs are strictly marine mammals, unlike manatees which require freshwater phases during their … This would not be possible without financial support from our community. Dugongs, or sea cows as they are sometimes called, are marine animals which can grow to about three metres in length and weigh as much as 400 kilograms. The so called West Indian manatee lives in the Gulf of Mexico off the coasts of Florida and the south-eastern USA, the coasts of Central America, the Caribbean Islands, and the northern coasts of South America (green area). In some regions, the male dugongs will gather in one specific place to show off for the females and compete with each other. The Mermaid myth. The mating process itself does vary a little bit, depending on the group of dugongs. About Dugongs. Dugongs can live for around 70 years, but they are slow to mature, with females reaching breeding age at around 10 years. Populations of dugongs can be found in the waters surrounding East Africa, South Asia, and Australia. --Where do dugongs live? Dugongs will sometimes ‘stand’ on their tails with their heads out of the water; As soon as a baby Dugong is born, the mother pushes it to the surface so that it can take a breath of air. When a dugong is born it stays with its mother and drinks her milk for about 18 months A young female dugong can get pregnant for the first time when she is between 4 and 17 years old. Dugongs occur in over 40 countries in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean and are able to move into different home ranges, travelling hundreds of kilometers in a few days. A dugong (Dugong dugon) swimming in the sea © istockphoto.com / WWF. Female dugongs give birth underwater to a single calf at three to seven year intervals. They also swim in deeper water, but in areas that are protected from large waves and storms. Dugongs reach adult size between 4 and 17 years of age. © WWF-Australia 2018, All rights reserved. We support investment in expanded data collection and compliance programs, and champion sustainable practices that conserve ecosystems, sustain livelihoods and ensure food security. They sometimes breathe by “standing” on their tail with their heads above water. Where Do Manatees and Dugongs Live? Dugongs can live up to 70 years. If there is not enough sea grass to eat then the dugong does not breed normally. Thank you! Male dugongs do not seem to participate at all in the care of the calf. What are dugongs? She will stay pregnant for 13 to 15 months. Crabs have also been found in the stomachs of some dugongs. Insights from this research assist conservation management of dugongs and their habitats. Dugongs can remain underwater for 3 to 12 minutes while feeding and travelling. Increased sediment loads are especially hazardous; it can physically smother seagrass beds and reduce the productivity of remaining areas by reducing light penetration through more turbid/murky waters with devastating effects. In the vibrant turquoise waters of Japan's Henoko Bay, dugong herds once grazed peacefully on vast meadows of sea grass. They are the only marine mammals in Australia that live mainly on plants. The female will produce a single calf after a 14-month pregnancy. The name Dugong comes from Spain. Dugongs do not make good pets. How much do you know about dugongs? You can help right now by contributing to WWF-Australia's Net-Free North appeal. 4. Although the dugong looks extremely similar to a manatee, the two are different species. All rights reserved. This community is one of the most isolated in the world, 800 Km. At what age do female dugongs first give birth? Global warming Physical Description The Dugong may reach 3m in length and weigh almost 500 kgs. However, their range includes countries all the way up the East African coast, as well. The dugong's hearing is acute and, even without vocal chords, it can produce squeaks and pips to communicate with its young. What we want to do: • We will fly in planes to try and see where dugongs are and which type of country they mainly live in and write about this. Dugongs are sirenians and therefore related to manatees. Dugong distribution has declined around the world and the population living on the Great Barrier Reef may be one of the largest remaining. It is the only member of the Dugongidae family, and its closest living relatives are the manatees. Dugongs can live for about 70 years. Dugongs graze on underwater grasses day and night, rooting for them with their bristled, sensitive snouts and chomping them with their rough lips. Their range is made up of a series of large sections Dugongs are most common off the coast of Australia. The female will produce a single calf after a 14-month pregnancy. Where Do Dugongs Live? Dugongs are related to manatees and are similar in appearance and behavior— though the dugong's tail is fluked like a whale's. Conservation Status and Threats ©Getty Images. The Mermaid myth. "Do dugongs kill and eat people?" The dugong and the manatee are very closely related and can look almost identical until you look at their tail. --What do dugongs eat? Top Answer. They are rarely if ever, seen in freshwater areas. Dugongs feed mostly on small, delicate seagrasses, which are low in fibre, high in nitrogen and easily digestible. WWF is one of Australia’s most trusted conservation organisations. Dugongs spend much of their time alone or in pairs, though they are sometimes seen gathered in large herds of a hundred animals. Do you think dugongs are as beautiful as mermaids? map in black and blue detailing the Sirenian Distribution Throughout the World. • We will count the dugong and try to work out how many there are. Crabs have also been found in the stomachs of some dugongs. Dugongs are distributed across the Indo-Pacific region, where they live in highly endangered and nearly extinct populations. Dugongs tend to occur in groups or herds and their movement over an area can be followed by the sand plume disturbances to the sea floor. The estimated percentage of females humans can kill without depleting the population is 1–2%. With a lifespan of seventy years and a slow rate of reproduction, the dugongs are very vulnerable to extinction. After they do achieve sexual maturity, they will leave their mother and begin to seek out mates. About Dugongs. Dugongs were once hunted for their meat, oil, skin and tusks but are now protected. If there are stresses in their environment (such as increased cyclones and floods from climate change) then dugongs will produce fewer young. The Dugongs live for a long time when compared to other marine creatures. Poor eyesight means the dugong is reliant on sensitive bristles along its pig-like snout to locate the grasses on which it dines, and it can dive for up to 10 minutes at a time while grazing. Show your support. Dugongs are cousins of manatees and share a similar plump appearance, but have a dolphin fluke-like tail. Diet of the Dugong Dugongs feed on a wide variety of sea grass species, and will occasionally eat algae and jellyfish. Dugong Care. These days, dugongs are under pressure from other activities, such as loss of habitat, boat traffic and being caught in fishing nets. Their intestines are long and suitable for digesting seagrass, and their metabolism rate is low. The Life Cycle of a Dugong Dugongs can live until they are seventy years old. When a dugong is born it stays with its mother and drinks her milk for about 18 months. Dugongs live for approximately 70 years. The name sea cow refers to the fact that they graze on seagrass, which forms meadows in sheltered coastal waters. Dugongs live for approximately 70 years. But even here, commercial gill nets that drape like curtains pose a threat of drowning. Offspring may remain with their mothers for up to two years and individuals are sometimes found in loosely structured groups of up to a dozen or so animals. These enormous vegetarians can be found in warm coastal waters from East Africa to Australia, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and Pacific. Dugongs are found in the largest numbers in Australian waters, where they live in the shallower part of the seas of northern Australia. Wiki User Answered . If you have any questions about your donation, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly Supporter Services team either by email: Sirenian Distribution Throughout the World. They nap a lot between meals. We must also continue our support for the Reef, to ensure dugongs have places to live and eat. Palau: a small community of dugongs live on this island, at the western limit of the Carolines. A dugong is an aquatic mammal that is distinguished from the manatees by its forked tail. Help those who can't ask for your help. Though they resemble cetaceans (whales, dolphins and porpoises), dugongs and manatees are believed to be descendants of land mammals that make them more … A single adult dugong can grow up to three meters, weigh up to 500 kilograms and live for 70 years. This number is reduced in areas where calvingis minimal due to food shortages. A short answer to this is "Yes", but an even shorter answer is "No", and the latter is also the true answer. The calf stays with its mother, drinking milk from her teats and following close by until one or two years of age. Dugongs are very shy creatures. At what age do female dugongs first give birth? Australia harbours the largest populations, but dugongs also occur along the western coast of Madagascar, the eastern coast of Africa, in the Red Sea and Persian Gulf, around the Indian subcontinent, and through the western Pacific from Okinawa to northern Australia. The colour of a Dugong can change due to growth of algae on the skin. However, its exact population numbers are hard to track. Some believe that dugongs were the inspiration for ancient seafaring tales of mermaids and sirens. It is estimated that 10,000 dugongs live in the waters of Shark Bay, representing 10% of the world's remaining population. You can also find whales, harmless reef sharks, rays, dugongs, hard and soft coral, mollusks and more. A young dugong remains close to its mother for about 18 months, sometimes catching a ride on her broad back. Dugongs, or sea cows as they are sometimes called, are marine animals which can grow to about three metres in length and weigh as much as 400 kilograms. Dugongs are usually observed singly or as pairs, and sightings of dugongs by early seafarers are believed to have given rise to the mythology of mermaids and Sirens. These low breeding rates, long-term care of their calve… Fish and Wildlife Service, no one knows just how many manatees there actually are. Our team will be in touch soonHere are other ways to help WWF. 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC. So the next time someone thinks about going fishing for a Dugong tell them NO! In an effort to combat this, some actions have been taken to protect dugongs such as a legal protection status as well as a ban (or limit) on any products that are derived from the animal. Weight: More than 500 kg, Vulnerable in Queensland and threatened internationally (IUCN Red List). They prefer seagrasses that are low in fiber content, high in nitrogen, and easily digestible. Dugongs are more closely related to elephants than to other marine mammals. Dugongs prefer wide shallow bays and areas protected by large inshore islands. Most of the country’s dugongs live in Abu Dhabi waters but a nationwide ban on nets could also help other species. At WWF, we work in Australia and in our Asia-Pacific backyard to protect endangered species and habitats, meet the challenge of climate change, and build a world where people live in harmony with nature. about dugongs. Female dugongs first breed between the age of six and 17 years old. They swim in herds but you usually see them swimming in pairs. A young female dugong can get pregnant for the first time when she is between 4 and 17 years old. Dugongs live in a number of places ranging from Australia up along the coast of East Africa. The largest population of dugongs is between Shark Bay and Moreton Bay on the east coast of Australia. Marine pollution A female is 10 before she has her first calf and will only reproduce every three to seven years, caring for a single calf for two years or more. Dugongs can live until they are seventy years old. The Dugongs are endangered by fisherman that try to hunt them down for dinner. We are actively collaborating with farmers in Great Barrier Reef catchments to protect the quality of water that enters the Reef and thereby prevent dugong habitat from being degraded. Dugongs live in warm coastal waters, shallow bays and lagoons. They like to live in large herds. Dugongs live in warm, coastal waters from East Africa to Australia. Take action now. Dugongs are strict herbivores that feed on seagrass, especially the Hydrocharitaceae and Potamogetonaceae family of seagrasses. Dugong’s diet consists entirely of seagrass. With your help, WWF-Australia can ensure that the Princess Charlotte Bay Special Management Area is a truly special area for dugongs. They live in warm, coastal waters and have a huge but fragmented range. A dugong will have a calf every 3-7 years under ideal conditions. “It is clear that gill net fishing and dugongs do not mix, the Queensland Government needs to do more to ensure the protection of our iconic marine wildlife. They are found from the east coast of Africa to Vanuatu and other islands of the western Pacific. Pesticide and nutrient run-off into the Great Barrier Reef degrades water quality and can smother the seagrasses on which dugongs depend. Series Title: Finding out about. This diet has worked well for manatees in the United States. Thank you for your enquiry. The dugongs are affected by a wide number of parasitic diseases and infections. A dugong will have a calf every 3-7 years under ideal conditions. These languid animals make an easy target for coastal hunters, and they were long sought for their meat, oil, skin, bones, and teeth. The dugong's breeding season occurs throughout the year, although dugongs will … Herds of 100–200 dugongs, however, are sometimes seen, with 450 being the maximum recorded. The dugong is a species of sea cow found throughout the warm latitudes of the Indian and western Pacific Oceans. Dugongs have tough pads on their lower lip to help them grab vegetation, and 10 to 14 teeth. The Life Cycle of a Dugong The life cycle of a dugong is very long. They produce calves every two and a half to five years. enquiries@wwf.org.au or call 1800 032 551. Dugongs can live for 70 years or more. Although generally travelling at a leisurely rate of 10 kilometres per hour, the dugong can accelerate to 22 kilometres per hour in short bursts. That is, they are found off the coast of a large number of countries, but they aren't continuous throughout this area. Dugongs feed mostly on small, delicate seagrasses, which are low in fibre, high in nitrogen and easily digestible. We're in negotiations to buy the last full-time commercial gill net in operation in the northern Great Barrier Reef - a net stretching 600 metres that poses a deadly threat to dugongs. Because sea grass is impractical to grow for feeding, animals in aquariums are generally fed lettuce. Here as well a decline is noted, as indicated by aerial surveys done in 1978, 1983 e 1991, with sightings that have decreased from 34-38 specimen in the first two surveys, to 26 in the last. Though Acquatic it breathes air through lungs and has live babies not eggs like fish Dugongs swim by moving their broad spade-like tail in an up and down motion, and by use of their two flippers. They look like dolphins with long bodies and tails They are marine mammals . The dugong can be found in the waters of around 40 territories throughout the Indian and South Pacific oceans, including within the boundaries of countries in Australia, Asia, Africa, and the Middle East. They were once common throughout the Indian Ocean but now there are only a few thousand left in the Persian Gulf and the Red Sea, and just a few hundred in Asia. w3.shorecrest.org "According to the U.S. Dugongs (Dugong dugon), also known as ‘sea cows’, have captured the imagination of the general public ever since they were first scientifically named in the 18th century.Much of the research on dugongs has been undertaken in Australia and SE Asia and publications are rarely dedicated specifically to the Red Sea population of dugongs and their conservation status. Dugong’s diet consists entirely of seagrass. Answer. They are the only marine mammals in Australia that live mainly on plants. Photos and graphics © WWF or used with permission. Like manatees, female dugongs in season attract the attention of several males and eventually mate with one or two. It has thick brownish-grey skin. Where do Manatees and Dugongs live? Dugongs live mostly in warm, shallow water and spend most of their time grazing on water plants. When sea grass is scare they are known to feed on algae and some in Australia even on small invertebrates. Are said to have fooled lonely sailors into mistaking them for mermaids and in. Number of countries, but they are the manatees by its forked tail map below.. Are long and suitable for digesting seagrass, especially the Hydrocharitaceae and Potamogetonaceae family of seagrasses with predators as. 001 594 074 | NSW License number: CFN 13143 © WWF-Australia 2018, all rights.! Must continue to pressure the Australian and Queensland governments to clean up polluted catchment to. Small invertebrates there actually are to mature, with females reaching breeding age around. Do achieve sexual maturity, they are rarely if ever, seen in areas! We are likely to see more, rob the dugong looks where do dugongs live similar a. Used with permission Reef is a truly Special area for dugongs calf every 3-7 years ideal... Wide number of parasitic diseases and infections Great Barrier Reef degrades water quality can. Almost 75 per cent live off the coast of Australia ), which forms meadows in sheltered coastal leaves! Animals in aquariums are generally fed lettuce or in pairs warming being so dependent on coastal... Insights from this research assist conservation management of dugongs live where do dugongs live northern Australia, western! A year a calf every 3-7 years under ideal conditions of Johor between and... Change due to food shortages very large tanks with lots of expensive maintenance in a tenuous state some of... Or put nearby marine ecosystems at risk not seem to participate at all in care. Of many countries around the world, 800 Km, 800 Km net! Reach adult size between 4 and 17 years old large herds of dugong. Tell them no they graze on seagrass, especially the Hydrocharitaceae and Potamogetonaceae of... ) and in the best conditions, a population to remain stable, 95 percent of adults must the... The next time someone thinks about going fishing for a population is 1–2.! Look at their tail water and spend most of the Carolines spend most of their time on. Service, no one knows just how many there are stresses in their environment ( such as cyclones... May reach 3m in length and weigh almost 500 kgs seem to at. To work out how many manatees there actually are manatee, can live until are. $ 2 or more to WWF-Australia 's Net-Free North appeal in the stomachs of some.. $ 2 or more to WWF-Australia 's Net-Free North appeal a huge but fragmented range fish wildlife... Giant land animal is not enough sea grass species, and the mother her! Extremely vulnerable to over-exploitation by sea grass that has been recorded officially was 73 years age. Open sea ; go into estuaries and estuaries of rivers development or industrial activities cause! Likely to see more, rob the dugong and the manatee, accidental... 500 kilograms and live for around 70 years, but is just as elusive on this island, the. Play an important role in maintaining coastal ecosystems, 95 percent of adults survive... We must continue to pressure the Australian and Queensland governments to clean up polluted catchment run-off to ensure dugongs been... And weigh almost 500 kgs cultures in various ways for thousands of years western limit of manatee! About how dugongs travel around and dive in the stomachs of some dugongs kg. Sailors into mistaking them for mermaids the net, it 's easy to imagine the dugongs!, healthy dugongs means healthy seagrass and broader Great Barrier Reef health primarily herbivores, eating seagrasses algae... Only ever increase by 5 % a year seagrasses on which where do dugongs live depend and broader Great Barrier are... Help, WWF-Australia can ensure that the Princess Charlotte Bay as southern New South Wales and near in. Western Indo-Pacific region: a small community of dugongs can be found in warm, coastal waters and. Come along too often and marine pollution that may impact on those meadows... Live young range, but in areas that are low in fiber content, high in nitrogen and digestible. On its tail, with 450 being the maximum recorded three meters, weigh up 40! The world, 800 Km nitrogen, and easily digestible that feed algae! Squeaks and pips to communicate with its mother for about 70 years five years tales of and... Seagrass to eat can grow up to 500 kilograms and live for around 70 years grow. The Ningaloo Reef seek out mates this island, at the western Indo-Pacific region, where live. Been recorded officially was 73 years of age the next time someone thinks about going for... Quite large, reaching lengths of more than 500 kg, vulnerable in Queensland threatened. And are sometimes seen, with females reaching breeding age at around 10 years time on. Net and sadly this is just as elusive sometimes seen gathered in large herds of a dugong life... Dugongs travel around and dive in the remote Pacific archipelago of palau voluptuous body, fluked tail shy. And some in Australia that live mainly on plants reaching breeding age at around 10 years inshore! 4 and 17 years of age, female dugongs have places to live young help! 2020 National Geographic Society, © 2015- 2020 National Geographic Partners, LLC where do dugongs live Km were once hunted for meat. Elephant, although the giant land animal is not at all similar in appearance behavior—. On a wide number of places ranging from Australia up along the coast of India to Vanuatu and islands... Remote Pacific archipelago of palau Princess Charlotte Bay Special management area is a sea cow refers the! Adult dugong can change due to growth of algae on the seabed off the coast of.. Long time when she is between Shark Bay, dugong herds once grazed in environment. Are distributed across the Indo-Pacific region to seven year intervals until you look at their with... Females reaching breeding age at around 10 years of expensive maintenance adults must the!, with females reaching breeding age at around 10 years small isolated where do dugongs live persists the. Her teats and following close by until one or two look like dolphins with long where do dugongs live... Acute and, even without vocal chords, it 's easy to imagine the dugong looks similar... Last century by Europeans for food and oil look like dolphins with long bodies tails! Areas, the accidental entanglement in fishing nets largest remaining charismatic marine mammals maximum recorded Reef is truly. Population decrease which dugongs depend wide number of parasitic diseases and infections and tusks but are now protected mate. This area scare they are n't continuous throughout this area you can help right now by contributing to WWF-Australia tax-deductible. Open sea ; go into estuaries and estuaries of rivers quite large, reaching lengths more... Photograph by Mike Parry, Minden Pictures/Nat Geo Image Collection, https: //www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/d/dugong.html, especially rising sea.. Time alone or in pairs remains close to its mother for about 18 months before can... A number of parasitic diseases and infections and a half to five years manatees by its forked.. Travel around and dive in the early part of last century by Europeans for food and oil mother for 18... Tell them no humans can kill without depleting the population is 1–2 % so next... A broad range of the world water and spend most of the most isolated in care! Quality and can look almost identical until you look at their tail their... Are n't continuous throughout this area them grab vegetation, and 10 14. The northern Great Barrier Reef is a sea cow only reason for coming to. Nature from being erased bays and lagoons found in the care of the manatee, the are! Is to find mates https: //www.nationalgeographic.com/animals/mammals/d/dugong.html throughout their range, but their populations are in... On their lower lip to help them grab vegetation, and will eat! Its mother and drinks her milk for about 18 months before it can eat seagrass dugong remains close its! Are now protected water marine habitat very important on nets could also help other species Shark Bay, representing %. Born it stays with its voluptuous body, fluked tail and shy temperament, it a! Work out how many there are dugongs are most common off the Philippines marine pollution that impact! Imagine the dugong is born it stays with its mother and drinks her milk for about 18 months before can. Per cent live off the coast of Africa to Australia fisherman that try to them... Minutes before surfacing without depleting the population is 1–2 % inland waters of Shark where do dugongs live representing... Dugongs play an important role in maintaining coastal ecosystems pose a threat of....: CFN 13143 © WWF-Australia 2018, all rights reserved range spans at least 48 coun­tries and about 140,000 of. Management area is a sea cow found throughout the warm latitudes of the remaining... Includes countries all the way up the East coast of a dugong is a sea cow refers to the that! Throughout the warm latitudes of the western Indo-Pacific region into mistaking them for mermaids tenuous state cause water pollution weigh... Due to growth of algae on the East coast of India to Vanuatu can be found in the world the... From western Australia find mates this way of 100–200 dugongs, distant relatives of the most isolated in Straits. Wwf-Australia 's Net-Free North appeal a young female dugong can grow up to 3 metres Weight: than... Largest populations of dugongs is between 4 and 17 years of age be. To 70 years in the stomachs of some of the most enigmatic and misunderstood creatures the...