The dugong (Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal belonging to the order Sirenia and the family Dugongidae. It inhabits warm coastal waters of the Indo‑Pacific region, ranging from East Africa and the Red Sea through the Indian Ocean to northern Australia and the western Pacific. Dugongs are strictly herbivorous, feeding on seagrass beds in shallow lagoons, bays, and estuaries. They possess a fusiform body, a paddle‑shaped fluke, and a distinctive down‑turned snout adapted for grazing. Adult males can reach up to 3.0 m in length, while females are slightly smaller. Their thick, wrinkled skin provides insulation in tropical waters. The species is listed as Vulnerable by the IUCN, with an estimated global population of 70,000–100,000 individuals, declining due to habitat loss, hunting, and by‑catch. Conservation measures focus on protecting seagrass habitats, regulating fisheries, and community‑based monitoring programs.

Dugongs are generally solitary or form small, loosely structured groups of up to six individuals, often consisting of females with calves and occasional adult males. They are most active at night, spending daylight hours resting on the sea floor or drifting in shallow waters. Home ranges can span 100–500 km², with individuals returning to familiar feeding patches daily. Communication relies on low‑frequency vocalizations, such as chirps and squeaks, and tactile signals through flipper contact. Dugongs maintain territories indirectly by repeatedly grazing the same seagrass beds, which can lead to competition during periods of limited food availability.

Dugongs are strict herbivores, feeding almost exclusively on seagrasses. Preferred species include Halophila ovalis, Thalassia hemprichii, Syringodium filiforme, and Enhalus acoroides. An adult consumes 3–5 % of its body weight daily, equating to 8–25 kg of fresh seagrass, which they harvest by using their down‑turned snout to uproot blades and then chew them with their molariform teeth. Feeding occurs primarily at night and can last 5–6 hours, during which dugongs travel up to 30 km across seagrass meadows. They exhibit selective grazing, preferring younger, more nutritious shoots, and can influence seagrass community composition through their foraging patterns.

Sexual maturity is reached at 3–7 years for females and 5–9 years for males, depending on regional conditions. Breeding can occur year‑round in tropical areas, but peaks often align with warm seasons that promote seagrass growth. The gestation period lasts 13–15 months, after which a single calf, weighing 7–9 kg at birth, is born. Calves remain attached to the mother’s nipple for 6–8 months and are weaned at 12–18 months, though they may stay with the mother for up to two years before attaining independence. Maternal care includes protection from predators, guidance to feeding sites, and teaching of grazing techniques.

The IUCN classifies the dugong as Vulnerable, with a global population estimated at 70,000–100,000 mature individuals, representing a decline of roughly 30 % over the past three generations. Major threats include habitat degradation from coastal development, dredging, and seagrass loss due to eutrophication. Boat strikes and entanglement in fishing gear cause significant mortality, especially in heavily fished regions such as the Gulf of Thailand and the Red Sea. Illegal hunting for meat and oil persists in parts of Southeast Asia and Africa. Climate change exacerbates these pressures by increasing sea‑temperature, causing seagrass die‑offs, and altering storm patterns that damage habitats. Conservation actions focus on marine protected areas, by‑catch mitigation, community education, and restoration of seagrass beds.

• Dugongs are the only strictly marine herbivorous mammals.
• They can hold their breath for up to 6 minutes while feeding.
• A dugong’s molariform teeth are continuously replaced throughout life.
• Their low‑frequency vocalizations can travel several kilometers underwater.
• Dugong milk contains a high fat content (up to 30 %) to support rapid calf growth.