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Dugong - DUGONG DUGONG
Endangered
Class: Animals with Milk Glands (Mammalia)
The Name "Dugong": "Dugong" comes from the Maylay word "duyong." These animals were mistaken for mermaids by sailors of yore. Such temptresses who lured sailors to their death among the costal rocks were called "sirens" since the days of the Iliad and before; and thus their Order name, Sirenia.
Location: Indian and Pacific oceans.
Habitat: Aquatic. Coastal waters in tropical and subtropical latitudes.
Description: The back and sides of the body are slate-gray while the underside is paler, as in almost all fish. Their body is covered with scattered hairs, with denser whiskers on the face. The dugong's eyes are small, round and black, and their ears are tiny openings with no external parts. The nostrils are large and crescent-shaped and can be closed to limit water from entering when diving. Dugongs grow about 8 to over 13 feet long, and weigh between 500 and 2000 lbs.
Behavior: The main activity of the dugong is searching for and consuming food to maintain its size. It moves about in herds which once numbered up to several hundred individuals, but are now usually limited to a half-dozen individuals. It swims by propelling itself along with its tail while holding the forelimbs close to the sides of its body. Although it feeds at night, its activities are probably governed less by light than by tidal movements, The forelimbs are then used to dig out the roots of various sea grasses, which are then torn apart by the mouth.
Reproduction: Breeding occurs throughout the year. To give birth, the female leaves the water for a shore just above the water level, preferably in a sandy spot. Here she gives birth to a single young, although she has two nipples. The youngster then follows its mother back into the water. At first the young only uses its forelimbs to swim, but soon learns to use its tail. The youngster remains with the mothers for about one year.
Go to the Siren Page to learn more about these unique animals.
Go to the Manatee for the only other Siren listed in America Zoo.
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