DUGONG, one of the two existing genera of the Sirenia, or herbivorous aquatic mammals. Dugongs (Halicore) are dis tinguished from manatee by the presence in the upper jaw of the male of a pair of large tusks.
There are never more than five molar teeth on each side of either jaw, and these are flat on the grinding surface. The flip pers are unprovided with nails, and the tail is broad and cres cent-shaped ; the bones are hard and firm. Dugongs frequent the shallow waters of tropical seas where they may be seen basking on the surface of the water, or browsing on submarine pastures of seaweed, for which the thick lips and trun cated snout pre-eminently fit them ; they are gregarious. The female produces a single young one at a birth, and is remarkable for its great maternal affection. Three species—the Indian du gong (H. dugong), the Red Sea dugong (H. tabernaculi) and the Australian dugong (H. australis) are recognized. The first abounds in the Indian Ocean, and is captured by the Malays, who esteem its flesh a great delicacy; it is generally taken by spearing. It sel dom attains a length of more than I oft. The Australian dugong is larger, attaining a length of I 5f t. ; it occurs along the Australian coast from Moreton bay to Cape York, and is highly valued by the natives. Of late years the oil obtained from the blubber of this species has been used in Australia as a substitute for cod-liver oil. A full-grown dugong yields from ten to 12 gallons.