DUGONG

(species Dugong dugon), large marine mammal of the order Sirenia that is the sole extant member of the family Dugongidae. It inhabits shallow coastal waters from the Red Sea and eastern Africa to the Philippines, New Guinea, and northern Australia. The dugong ranges in length from about 2.2 to 3.4 m (7 to 11 feet) and usually weighs from 230 to 360 kg (500 to 800 pounds). It has a round, tapered body that ends in a flipper with paired, pointed, horizontal branches. The forelimbs are rounded flippers; there are no hind limbs. The head, which blends into the body with no visible neck, has a broad, square, bristled snout. A single calf is born after a gestation period of about 11 months, after which it nurses on its mother's two pectoral (chest) teats. Dugongs live in pairs or in groups of up to six individuals. They graze on green algae and marine grasses, remaining submerged up to 10 minutes. When resting, they may tail stand in water of proper depth, keeping their heads out of the water. Sightings of dugongs by early seafarers are believed to have given rise to the extensive mythology of mermaids and sirens. Dugongs were heavily hunted for their meat, hides, and oil. Although they are now protected by law throughout most of their range, some populations remain in danger of extermination through overhunting.