Dugongs are animals that look like mermaids so that means that they have often been mistaken for mermaids. Dugongs look like mermaids because of their tail, and also they swim just like mermaids and they also roam on the top of the water just like a mermaid.
Dugongs are herbivors. Herbivors are animals that only eat grass and seaweed, well basically anything that doesn’t involve meat. Herbivors are kind of like vegetarians. The reason why herbivors don’t eat meat is because they can’t digest is properly. They also probably don’t like to kill other animals.
Dugongs are mostly found in the upper part of Australia in the shallow waters. Dugongs are one of those animals that breathe air so they mostly hang around the top of the water which is why they are nearing extinction. Another reason why dugongs don’t go down too far is because Dugongs aren’t very fast swimmers even if they take a big breath and go down really far they might not be able to come back up in time and they sadly could die.
Dugongs are becoming extinct because hunters want to kill them and sell their meat and also, the seaweed is dying so they can’t eat very much. In addition to this, sharks and whales want a good meal so they go for the big fat Dugongs.
Aboriginals are tagging Dugongs and turtles so they can trace their movements. They what to know what makes people want to kill these wonderful animals. If they find out what they are doing then they can put a net where they’re catching them and put a stop to it.
What people want to get out of this reserch is to know what to do to keep Dugongs from extintion so they can live a long life like you and me.
I always think it is a bit odd that dugongs are mistaken for mermaids. I imagine it must have been by sailors who had been at sea for a very long time and had perhaps had too much rum to drink. While they are indeed wonderful animals, they are not what you would call pretty, and mermaids are always depicted as “pretty” and somewhat better dressed too. It is probably, as you mentioned more about the way they move in the water. (that and the rum) Do you think the fact that sharks and whales eat them is contributing to the depleted numbers? Surely this has always been the case and part of a natural process? I will try to find out more about dugongs.