Dugongs (dugong dugon), often referred to as sea cows, are a marine mammal which feeds mainly on sea grasses. They are the only sea cow found in Australian waters but are closely related to the three manatee species found in other parts of the world.

Dugong facts:

• Dugong are more closely related to the elephant than other marine mammals, such as dolphins and whales.
• Dugong grow up to three metres long and can weigh up to 400kg
• Life span is approximately 70 years but with many dying younger than this. Their age can be measured by the growth layers in their tusks.
• Sexual maturity is reached at 6 – 17 years for females and 4 – 16 years for males. Gestation period for calves is 13 – 15 months. A female has a 3 – 7 year interval between calves.
• Calves are born approximately 1.2 metres long and weigh around 30kg. The lactation period is 14 – 18 months.
• During mating season males fight using their tusks. The female is also often left scarred by tusks after the mating process where a number of males will mate with her.
• Dugong have paired nostrils at the top of their head which surface briefly when taking a breath. Dugong can’t hold their breath for as long as other marine mammals and surface to breathe every few minutes. This is particularly true when they are travelling.

  

• Dugong have poor eyesight but excellent hearing. They also use sensitive bristles on their upper lip to find and grasp sea grass. A feeding trail can often be seen where dugong have uprooted sea grass in the feeding process.
• Dugong are able to dive up to 39 metres but are more often found in the shallow waters up to 10m

Dugong live in shallow tropical water, where sea grass meadows grow, throughout the Indo-Pacific region. They are found in the Northern parts of Australia from Shark Bay in Western Australia through to Moreton Bay in Queensland.

For further information and photos of dugong follow this link to the University of Queensland research team site www.uq.edu.au