Astari 
The dugong (Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal belonging to the order Sirenia, which also includes manatees.
Dugongs, known as “sea cows,” are herbivores in coastal waters and seagrass habitats.
They are found primarily in the Indo-Pacific region, including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and northern Australia.
Their bodies are robust and cylindrical, tapering towards a broad and horizontally flattened tail, known as the fluke.
Well-adapted to a marine lifestyle, dugongs use their paddle-like forelimbs to navigate and their muscular upper lips and snouts to feed on seagrasses, essential as their primary source of food.
Adults typically measure between 2.4 to 3 meters in length, with some individuals reaching up to 3.5 meters.
Weighing between 230 to 450 kilograms, females tend to be larger than males.
Dugongs exhibit smooth and thick skin, occasionally adorned with sparse, coarse hairs, particularly noticeable in younger individuals.
What sets them apart are their two elongated incisors, commonly referred to as tusks. Tusks, growing continually, are observed in both genders, more prominently in males.
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Contents
Reproduction and Social Structure of the Dugong
Dugongs have a slow reproductive rate, with females reaching sexual maturity around the age of six to seventeen years, depending on factors like habitat and food availability.
Additionally, the gestation period lasts for around 13 months, and females give birth to a single calf.
Mother dugongs provide care until calves are weaned, typically around 18 months.
Moreover, newborn dugongs enter the world with a noteworthy weight of 20 to 35 kilograms, aiding in their rapid growth.
While usually solitary, dugongs form loose groups during mating or in areas with abundant food. Dugong populations show little aggression, favoring peaceful coexistence.
Evolutionary Connections between the Dugong and Elephant
Dugongs, akin to manatees, belong to the Sirenia order, signifying a notable evolutionary link with elephants.
This connection dates back to a shared terrestrial ancestry approximately 50 million years ago.
Notably, Dugongs’ modified incisors, elongated tusks, resemble specialized dental structures seen in elephants.
The unexpected link highlights diverse evolutionary pathways shaping marine mammals and terrestrial elephants.
Dugongs are Exclusively Lived in Saltwater
Dugongs are exclusively inhabitants of saltwater environments.
Unlike their close relatives, the manatees, which can tolerate both freshwater and saltwater, dugongs are strictly marine creatures.
Moreover, seagrass is a vital part of their diet, as dugongs inhabit sheltered coastal regions. This includes mangrove channels, bays, inter-reefal waters, and extensive inshore island waters.
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Limited Eyesight but Exceptional Hearing
With small eyes, dugongs rely on touch and hearing for navigation and perception.
Dugongs employ a combination of diverse sounds such as barks, whistles, and chirps, echoing underwater, for communication, along with incorporating physical touch.
Heightened auditory ability aids dugongs in communication, navigation, and threat avoidance.