What role does the dugong play in the ecosystem?
Wherever they survive, dugongs play an important role in maintaining coastal ecosystems. Their constant browsing of seagrass encourages regrowth – ensuring critical habitat and feeding sites for a host of other marine species, including turtles, dolphins and sawfish.
How are dugongs related to elephants?
Dugongs are related to manatees and are similar in appearance and behavior— though the dugong’s tail is fluked like a whale’s. Both are related to the elephant, although the giant land animal is not at all similar in appearance or behavior.
Will a manatee attack a human?
Manatees are calm and peaceful marine mammals that pose no danger to swimmers. In fact, they are curious animals that enjoy human interaction and are quite happy to relate with and be around humans. Manatees are not known to attack or harm anything. …
What happens if a manatee touches you?
Look, but don’t touch manatees. If manatees become accustomed to being around people, they can alter their behavior in the wild, perhaps causing them to lose their natural fear of boats and humans, which may make them more susceptible to harm. Never poke, prod or stab a manatee with your hands, feet or any object.
Do manatees get stuck?
Rescuers are on high alert when hurricanes and other types of weather bring higher-than-normal water levels, which often lead to manatees ending up in places they wouldn’t typically be. “When the water returns to normal levels, they can be trapped in there,” FWC spokeswoman Michelle Kerr said.
Was the Manatee hurt?
The manatee did not appear to be hurt, the agency said, because it seemed that the word was etched into algae on its body. Federal conviction of harassing a manatee is punishable by a fine of $50,000 and up to a year in prison, according to the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission.
Is the Florida manatee dead?
Years of worsening water quality from toxic runoff have increased algae blooms and killed the sea grass that manatees graze on, experts say.