DUGONGS Meaning and
Definition
-
Dugongs are herbivorous marine mammals belonging to the order Sirenia, which also includes manatees. They are commonly referred to as "sea cows" due to their large size and slow, herbivorous nature. Dugongs inhabit shallow coastal waters and are primarily found in the Indian and western Pacific Oceans, particularly along the coasts of Africa, Australia, and Southeast Asia.
These creatures are characterized by their streamlined bodies, which are gray-brown in color and can reach lengths of up to 3 meters. They have paddle-like flippers and a fluked tail that enables them to swim gracefully through the water. Dugongs have a defining feature: a unique snout, similar to a dolphin's rostrum, with bristles used for filtering out their preferred diet of seagrass.
Dugongs are known for their gentle and peaceful nature. They have a slow metabolism and spend most of their time grazing on seagrass beds. Despite the fact that they are completely aquatic, they are mammals and must surface to breathe through their nostrils, which are located on the top of their heads.
These remarkable creatures have long been associated with legends and folklore due to their serenely graceful appearance and mysterious nature. Unfortunately, dugongs face numerous threats, including habitat loss, pollution, entanglement in fishing nets, and hunting, primarily for their meat and oil. These factors have led to a decline in dugong populations over the years, making their conservation a matter of concern and importance.
Common Misspellings for DUGONGS
Etymology of DUGONGS
The word "dugong" comes from the Malay word "duyung", which means "lady of the sea". This term was adopted into English from the Malay language in the early 18th century. The dugong is a sea mammal closely related to manatees, and lives in warm coastal waters in the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
Similar spelling words for DUGONGS
- decayings,
- tecnicas,
- diggings,
- in-takings,
- duckings,
- techniques,
- hostage-takings,
- pyro-technics,
- tickings,
- TGWNX,
- dockings,
- leave-takings,
- tikangas,
- twockings,
- re-takings,
- risk-takings,
- TCNX,
- Technics,
- tecnicos,
- tuggings,
- Dickings,
- under-takings,
- tweakings,
- be-deckings,
- takings,
- deckings,
- tackings.
Infographic
Add the infographic to your website:
