Dugong dugon

Dugong

2.5-3 metriä
70+ vuotta
Vaarantunut
Tietoa

Dugong

The dugong is a gentle marine mammal closely related to the elephant, often called a 'sea cow' for its peaceful grazing habits. These shy, solitary animals spend their days munching on seagrass beds in shallow tropical waters and are believed to have inspired ancient legends of mermaids.

Koko

2.5-3 metriä (jopa 4m)

Paino

250-500 kg

Elinikä

70+ vuotta

Suojelutila

Vaarantunut

Missä niitä löytää

Parhaat sukelluskohteet

Abu Dabbab, EgyptiMarsa Alam, EgyptiCoron, FilippiinitVanuatuNingaloo Reef, Western AustraliaMosambikThaimaa

Sukellusvinkit

Dugongs are easily stressed by divers. Approach from the side, never from above. Stay low and move slowly. Never chase a dugong—if it moves away, let it go. Limit encounters to a few minutes. Snorkelling is often better than scuba diving for dugong encounters.

Paras kausi

Year-round in Egypt, best visibility in summer

Elinympäristö

Shallow tropical waters with seagrass beds, from East Africa to the western Pacific

Ravinto

Exclusively seagrass—up to 40 kg per day
Tiesitkö?

Hauskoja faktoja

1

Dugongs are the only strictly herbivorous marine mammal

2

They can hold their breath for up to 6 minutes while grazing

3

Dugong mothers nurse their calves for up to 18 months

4

They are more closely related to elephants than to other marine mammals

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