Order: Sirenia.

Family: Dugongidae.

Size: Length- 8 to 9 ft (2.4-2.7 m), occasionally up to 13 ft (4 m).

Weight: 300 to 800 lb (136-360 kg), occasionally up to 2000 lb (900 kg).

Key Features: Body divisible into head, trunk and tail; head is relatively small with the upper lip having broad, horseshoe-shaped extension, which overlaps the sides of the mouth. This muzzle caries a large number of bristles, hair and pores; forelimbs are modified as flippers, bearing a general resemblance to those of a whale. These vary greatly in size and have no nails; no hind limbs; trunk is broadest in the waist region and narrows behind to form the tail fluke, which is horizontal and crescent shaped; skin is thick and covered everywhere with fine hair; Colouring is variable from dull brown to very light cream colour, possibly the colour changes with size and age; male has two tusks formed from the incisor teeth but these are usually barely visible under the fleshy lips; Dugongs have molar teeth but no canines.

Voice: Generally silent, but occasional chirps and whistles.

Breeding: Single young born at intervals of 3 to 7 yrs (twins rare) after gestation period of 13 to 14 months. Young first graze at 3 months, weaned at 18 months; sexually mature at 9 to 10 yrs. May live over 70 yrs.

Diet: Mostly sea grasses; sometimes green or brown seaweeds.

Habitat: Lives in shallow, shelter coastal waters, where they feed upon sea-grasses and algae; they are not known to ascend rivers or to venture far out to sea.

Habits: Floats lazily in shallow water, diving occasionally to eat plants from sea bed; usually seen singly or in small groups.

Conservation Status: Species listed as ‘Vulnerable’ globally on IUCN red list.

Distribution in Gujarat: Till recently, Dugong reporting along the Gujarat coast was based on fishermen feedback and dead carcasses washed ashore the Gulf of Kachchh however on 24th May 2012 a live dugong sighting was photographed between Paga reef and Bural Chank off the Okha coast. They are also reported from Beyt Dwarka and Pirotan Island.

 

 

 

 

 

References:

• “Mermaid in Gujarat”. DNA Syndication. http://www.dnasyndication.com/dna/article/DNAHM37286

• “First live dugong sighting recorded near Okha”, Daily News and Analysis (DNA). http://www.dnaindia.com/india/report_first-live-dugong-sighting-recorded-near-okha_1697881

• Marine Mammals Facts Courtesy: Animal Fact Files- Mammals. The Brown Reference Group Plc.