THE DUGONG

The dugong inhabits the coastal waters and mouths of estuaries, and feeds on seaweed. It is once said to have lived in large herds, but as it’s flesh is highly edible and its fat yields a valuable lubricating oil, it has been largely hunted, and its numbers have dwindled down in many areas. It resembles a small whale in its fish like form with paddle-shaped front limbs and horizontally expanded tail fin. The female holds her young against her breast with her flippers. The Dugong is said to have given rise to the myth of the mermaid.