Today we are going to head to the farm to learn about cows. Okay, maybe that isn’t exactly correct. We are actually going to head to the sea to learn about Sea Cows. No, I am not being funny! The Dugong is often referred to as the sea cow. I don’t believe there are any farmers out there that have a herd of sea cows and use them to produce milk but I could be wrong.
The dugong is called a sea cow because it basically feeds the same way as a regular cow. The dugong will graze on underwater grasses by digging them up with their snout. The sea cow can grow to about 3 meters (6′) long and weigh up to 300 kg (600 lbs). In the wild they are able to live up to 70 years. Unfortunately, the dugong is the only remaining member of its once diverse family. Hunting has brought the dugong population into jeopardy, however, they have finally been protected throughout their range.
So do these “cows” have any special adaptations to allow them to graze along the ocean floor? Of course they do, I wouldn’t have asked the question if they didn’t. The first adaptation has to do with their snout which is turned downwards to allow the sea cow the ability to uproot their yummy grass salad. The liver of the dugong has also evolved which actually removes all of the salt from the plants that it consumes. Another unique adaptation is the weight of their bones. Unlike humans the dugong has little to no marrow in their bones. These solid bones actually acts as a ballast which allows them to stay suspended just below the water surface. Just so you know the bones of the dugong are among the densest in the world. I wonder if they use the excuse “I’m just big boned” after they put on a few pounds from eating too many Christmas goodies!
Dugong Fast Fact: It is believed that the dugong may be responsible for starting the myth about mermaids. I wonder why Disney didn’t go with The Little Dugong instead of the The Little Mermaid.
Today we are going to head to the farm to learn about cows. Okay, maybe that isn’t exactly correct. We are actually going to head to the sea to learn about Sea Cows. No, I am not being funny! The Dugong is often referred to as the sea cow. I don’t believe there are any farmers out there that have a herd of sea cows and use them to produce milk but I could be wrong.
The dugong is called a sea cow because it basically feeds the same way as a regular cow. The dugong will graze on underwater grasses by digging them up with their snout. The sea cow can grow to about 3 meters (6′) long and weigh up to 300 kg (600 lbs). In the wild they are able to live up to 70 years. Unfortunately, the dugong is the only remaining member of its once diverse family. Hunting has brought the dugong population into jeopardy, however, they have finally been protected throughout their range.
So do these “cows” have any special adaptations to allow them to graze along the ocean floor? Of course they do, I wouldn’t have asked the question if they didn’t. The first adaptation has to do with their snout which is turned downwards to allow the sea cow the ability to uproot their yummy grass salad. The liver of the dugong has also evolved which actually removes all of the salt from the plants that it consumes. Another unique adaptation is the weight of their bones. Unlike humans the dugong has little to no marrow in their bones. These solid bones actually acts as a ballast which allows them to stay suspended just below the water surface. Just so you know the bones of the dugong are among the densest in the world. I wonder if they use the excuse “I’m just big boned” after they put on a few pounds from eating too many Christmas goodies!
Dugong Fast Fact: It is believed that the dugong may be responsible for starting the myth about mermaids. I wonder why Disney didn’t go with The Little Dugong instead of the The Little Mermaid.
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