Facts for Kids
Dugongs are large, herbivorous marine mammals known for their gentle nature and seagrass diet, often found in warm coastal waters.
Overview
Conservation Status
Cultural Significance
Diet And Feeding Habits
Habitat And Distribution
Physical Characteristics
Reproduction And Lifespan
Behavior And Social Structure
Threats And Protection Efforts
Inside this Article
Great Barrier Reef
East Africa
Australia
Pollution
Gardens
People
Diving
Color
Ocean
Did you know?
🦄 Dugongs are marine mammals that can be found in warm coastal waters of the Indian and Pacific Oceans.
🐾 They are herbivorous and primarily feed on seagrass.
🌊 Dugongs can hold their breath underwater for up to 6 minutes while feeding.
❤️ They have a unique, smooth body and paddle-like flippers that help them swim gracefully.
🐋 Dugongs are sometimes referred to as 'sea cows' due to their diet and gentle nature.
🔍 They are slow swimmers, typically moving at about 3 to 5 miles per hour.
🍼 Female dugongs can give birth to a single calf every 3 to 7 years after a gestation period of about 13 months.
⚖️ Adult dugongs can weigh between 400 to 1,100 pounds (180 to 500 kg).
🌱 A dugong's diet can include over 60 different species of seagrass.
🦈 Dugongs are listed as vulnerable due to habitat loss and hunting.
Introduction
Conservation Status
Many countries have laws that protect dugongs, and there are marine parks created just for them. Every little action helps in protecting these amazing animals! 🙌
Cultural Significance
People paint, sing, and tell stories about these creatures. Learning about dugongs helps us understand how important it is to care for the ocean and all its beautiful inhabitants. 🥰
Diet And Feeding Habits
They use their strong, flat teeth to grab and shred the greenery. Dugongs spend a lot of their time grazing on the ocean floor, just like cows do on land 🐄. They have a unique way of eating—sometimes they even dive down to 50 feet or more to find the tastiest plants! 🌊
Did you know that their eating helps keep underwater gardens healthy? It sure does!
Habitat And Distribution
Physical Characteristics
Adult dugongs can grow up to 10 feet long and can weigh up to 1,100 pounds! They also have whiskers on their snouts that help them feel around for food. The dugong's eyes and ears are small, helping it move gracefully through its underwater home! 👀
Reproduction And Lifespan
Just like people, young dugongs learn from their mothers, and this helps them survive in their watery world.
Behavior And Social Structure
️ They are friendly and can interact with other dugongs. Dugongs often swim slowly and can hold their breath for about 6 minutes while diving for food! 🐠
They communicate using sounds, like squeaks and whistles, to stay in touch with each other. Interestingly, dugongs are not aggressive and prefer to keep to themselves. They're known to be gentle giants of the sea! 🌊
Threats And Protection Efforts
Dugong Quiz
Frequently Asked Questions
Our Mission
To create a safe space for kid creators worldwide!
2025, URSOR LIMITED. All rights reserved. DIY is in no way affiliated with Minecraft™, Mojang, Microsoft, Roblox™ or YouTube. LEGO® is a trademark of the LEGO® Group which does not sponsor, endorse or authorize this website or event. Made with love in San Francisco.