Definition & Meaning of "dugong"

What is a "dugong"?

The dugong, also known as the "sea cow," is a large marine mammal that is part of the family Dugongidae. Dugongs are known for their unique appearance, with a rotund body, paddle-like flippers, and a horizontally flattened tail. They have a grayish-brown or bluish-gray skin, and their head is characterized by a wide, rounded snout with bristly hairs around the mouth. Dugongs are herbivorous, feeding on seagrasses and other aquatic vegetation. They are typically found in shallow coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and the western Pacific Ocean, and are known for their slow and graceful swimming style. Dugongs are considered vulnerable to extinction due to habitat loss, hunting, and other human activities, and are protected by various conservation measures in many countries.