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Sea Cows

Short answer: The dugong (Dugong dugon) is a marine mammal related to manatees; together they form the order Sirenia, often called sea cows. Dugongs live in warm coastal waters from East Africa and the Red Sea across the Indian Ocean to Australia and the western Pacific.

Adults are typically about 3 m long and often weigh 250 to 400 kg, though large individuals can be heavier. They feed almost entirely on seagrass, swim with a fluked tail, and usually dive for a few minutes at a time. The species is listed as Vulnerable. The footage shows dugongs grazing and swimming, with the presenter.

VideoWrite-up1 sources
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What should you know about Sea Cows?

Quick facts. Each one stands alone and has a stable ID you can cite.

  1. Dugongs and manatees are sirenians.

    DD-162-F01 · Write-up · Exhibit A (Sirenians)

  2. They live from East Africa to the Pacific.

    DD-162-F02 · Write-up · Exhibit B (Range)

Video transcript: Sea Cows: Dugongs Graze Seagrass Like Cows Graze Grass

Dugongs also known as sea cows are marine mammals closely related to manatees. DID YOU KNOW? These gentle herbivores are found coastal waters from East Africa to Australia including the Red Sea, Indian Ocean, and the Pacific. Dugongs are large animals with adults reaching lengths of up to and weighing around 600 kilograms. Their bodies are well adapted for aquatic featuring a streamlined shape and paddle like flippers. Dugongs are primarily herbivorous feeding on sea grasses in shallow coastal waters. Dugongs have the ability to stay submerged for several minutes using their strong tails to propel themselves. NOW YOU KNOW!

Burned-in captions, read frame by frame (see transcript.md) · 33.1s Reel ·

Video coming soonSea Cows · Instagram Reel
Sea Cows: Dugongs Graze Seagrass Like Cows Graze Grass Instagram Reel · · 33.1s

The write-up

Dugongs graze seagrass like cows graze grass. Their closest living relatives are manatees.

  1. Exhibit A

    Sirenians

    Dugongs and manatees are sirenians.

  2. Exhibit B

    Range

    They live from East Africa to the Pacific.

  3. Exhibit C

    Size

    Adults are about 3 m long.

  4. Exhibit D

    Seagrass

    They feed almost entirely on seagrass.

  5. Exhibit E

    Fluked tail

    They swim with a fluked tail.

Questions people ask about Sea Cows

Which animals are dugongs related to?

Order Sirenia.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Sirenians) · Wikipedia: Dugong

Where do dugongs live?

East Africa to the Pacific.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Range) · Wikipedia: Dugong

How long are adults?

Large but gentle.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Size) · Wikipedia: Dugong

What do dugongs eat?

Grazers.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Seagrass) · Wikipedia: Dugong

How do they swim?

Like a whale's tail.

Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Fluked tail) · Wikipedia: Dugong

Test Your Knowledge

All quizzes →

5 questions, all from this case file. Answers are revealed instantly.

  1. Which animals are dugongs related to?

    1. Manatees
    2. Seals
    3. Dolphins
    4. Walruses
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Manatees Order Sirenia. Source: Write-up · Exhibit A (Sirenians) · Wikipedia: Dugong

  2. Where do dugongs live?

    1. Warm Indo-Pacific coasts
    2. The Arctic
    3. Rivers in Europe
    4. The Great Lakes
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Warm Indo-Pacific coasts East Africa to the Pacific. Source: Write-up · Exhibit B (Range) · Wikipedia: Dugong

  3. How long are adults?

    1. About 3 m
    2. About 30 cm
    3. About 10 m
    4. About 20 m
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. About 3 m Large but gentle. Source: Write-up · Exhibit C (Size) · Wikipedia: Dugong

  4. What do dugongs eat?

    1. Seagrass
    2. Fish
    3. Krill
    4. Jellyfish
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. Seagrass Grazers. Source: Write-up · Exhibit D (Seagrass) · Wikipedia: Dugong

  5. How do they swim?

    1. With a fluked tail
    2. With legs
    3. With jets
    4. With fins only
    Show the answer

    Answer: A. With a fluked tail Like a whale's tail. Source: Write-up · Exhibit E (Fluked tail) · Wikipedia: Dugong

Cite this case file

Easterling, Marcus. "Sea Cows." The Detail Department (DetailEnjoyer), case file DD-162, last updated Jan 5, 2024. https://detailenjoyer.com/case/sea-cows/

Permalink: https://detailenjoyer.com/case/sea-cows/ · Last updated

Markdown version

Cite a single fact by its ID, for example DD-162-F01 → https://detailenjoyer.com/case/sea-cows/#DD-162-F01