DUGONG

  DUGONG

Local name :  Dugong, Baimanas, Suvar machhali, Luli, Samudri gai (5es  cow) 

Physical measurements & life cycle: 

 Length : 1-4 m (female is smaller than male) 

Weight : 230-900 kg 

Gestation :13 months 

Life span : 50 years 

Description

Dugong is brownish grey above, whitish below. It has rounded sides and back. It has flat belly, truncated head, flattened and flipper-like fore-limbs and small mouth. Its upper lip is projected beyond lower lip.

Food

Herbivorous. It feeds on sea grass/ sea weeds. 

Distribution 

It occurs in the Gulf of Kachchh. However, it is quite rare in the  state. 

Habitat 

Dugong inhabits shallow waters of the sea coast and the mouth of the river. 

Behaviour

Chiefly nocturnal. It is sluggish and thus it cannot swim faster.It is found in pairs or in small groups. It rests in deep water while moving to shallow water areas for feeding.  

Signs of presence 

Direct sighting, fishermen's reports, carcass etc.

Skeletons of Dugong have been found on the sea coast of Bet Dwarka and elsewhere in the state. That confirms the occurrence of this mammal in Gujarat. About 12 dugongs were estimated during a study conducted by Saurashra University in 1991. The first contributor of this book had seen a dead body of on the sea coast near Poshitra.