A mammal of warm coastal seas that feeds mainly on seagrass and uses shallow sheltered waters.
It has no dorsal fin and a tail spreading to either side. Bristles around its downturned mouth help locate food. Its length ranges from 2.4 to 4 metres.
Dugongs feed mainly on seagrass in shallow seas. Uprooting plants leaves narrow feeding trails, and sensitive bristles help locate food.
Grazing can encourage seagrass regrowth and disperse seeds. Coastal development, murky water and extreme weather threaten the habitat supporting this relationship.
Australian programmes support habitat restoration, distribution and condition surveys, and First Nations partnerships, alongside efforts to reduce boat strikes and entanglement.
An extinction-risk assessment has not been added yet.
Seagrass loss, poor water quality, boat strikes and entanglement are threats. Australian work includes habitat protection and restoration, monitoring and Indigenous partnerships.