Dugong

Maximum longevity: 73 years (captivity) Observations: The dugong may feature some form of continuous tooth development (Caleb Finch 1990). It is estimated that these animals live more than 50 years in the wild, with one estimate suggesting that they may live up to 73 years (Ronald Nowak 1999). Their longevity has not been studied in detail in captivity, but one animal was still alive after 25.3 years (Richard Weigl 2005).

Dugongs reproduce slowly and experience substantial hunting pressure in portions of their range.

Dugongs are large sirenians found in coastal marine areas of the Pacific Ocean and the Red Sea, along coastal eastern Africa, India, the Malay Peninsula, and to Australia and New Guinea. They can get up to 900 kg in size and are herbivorous, feeding on sea grasses, macroalgae, and occasional invertebrates.

widely distributed in tropical and subtropical waters

coastal, also in bays and channels