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SPECIES PROFILE
Dugong (Dugong dugon)
Dugong
IUCN STATUS
Vulnerable
CONSERVATION STATUS
Vulnerable
CLASS
Mammalia
GEOGRAPHICAL RANGE
Indian and western Pacific coasts
DIET
Herbivorous
HABITAT
Shallow coastal seagrass meadows
🔬 Classification
PHYLUM
Chordata
CLASS
Mammalia
ORDER
Sirenia
FAMILY
Dugongidae
GENUS
Dugong
📋 Description
SIZE
Up to 3 m; up to 400 kg
COLORATION
Grey-brown, torpedo-shaped with a dolphin-like tail
ADAPTATIONS
Grazes seagrass with a broad downturned snout
🌿 Ecology
HABITAT
Shallow coastal seagrass meadows
DIET
Herbivorous
GEOGRAPHIC RANGE
Indian and western Pacific coasts
REPRODUCTION
Single calf every 3-7 years
DIET DETAILS
Seagrass
⚠️ Threats & Conservation
PRIMARY THREATS
Bycatch, seagrass loss
💡 Interesting Facts
1
The only strictly marine plant-eating mammal, and the likely source of mermaid legends.
2
Bazaruto holds the last viable dugong population in East Africa.
🔭 Sighting Guide
📍 BEST PLACES TO SIGHT
Bazaruto Archipelago
🗓️ BEST TIME TO SIGHT
May-November
🎯 SIGHTING TIPS
Take a boat over seagrass beds around the Bazaruto Archipelago; look for a rounded back and fluked tail.
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