Knowra Dugong Dugong The dugong is a large herbivorous marine mammal that feeds mainly on seagrasses in warm coastal waters. It is the only living member of the family Dugongidae.
Seagrass : Flowering plants that grow submerged in marine waters and form underwater meadows. Dugongs graze on seagrass leaves and roots, shaping the meadows they inhabit.
Grazing : A feeding strategy in which animals crop plants or algae from a surface. Dugongs graze seagrass beds, often leaving distinctive feeding trails.
Dugong conservation : Efforts to protect dugongs and the habitats and populations on which they depend. Conservation measures address habitat loss, hunting, fishing gear, and boat collisions.
Ecosystem engineer : An organism that changes its environment in ways that affect other species. Dugong grazing alters seagrass structure and can influence the animals living in those meadows.
Sirenia : The order of aquatic mammals that includes manatees and dugongs. Dugongs belong to this group of slow-moving, fully aquatic herbivores.
Dugong tusks : The enlarged upper incisors of male dugongs, which emerge through the snout. These tusks are a visible feature of mature males, though their role is not fully clear.
Seagrass conservation : The protection and restoration of seagrass ecosystems. Safeguarding feeding meadows is central to maintaining dugong populations.
Seagrass meadow : A dense underwater habitat formed by seagrasses in shallow coastal waters. Dugongs depend on these meadows, while their grazing changes meadow condition and composition.
Dugongidae : The mammal family containing the living dugong and several extinct relatives. This family places the dugong among extinct sea cows such as Steller’s sea cow.
Dugong vocalization : The sounds dugongs produce, including chirps, barks, and other calls. Calls help dugongs communicate in coastal waters where visibility can be limited.
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