What are the eating habits of dugongs?

Food Habits. Dugongs are primary consumers and the only completely herbivorous marine mammals. They consume seagrass, particularly of the families Potamogetonaceae and Hydrocharitaceae in the genera Halophila and Halodule. read more

If dugongs do not get enough to eat they may calve later and produce fewer young. Food shortages can be caused by many factors, such as a loss of habitat, death and decline in quality of seagrass, and a disturbance of feeding caused by human activity. read more

Dugongs reach adult size between 4 and 17 years of age. These low breeding rates, long-term care of their calves, long time between calves, as well as their dependence on seagrass, make dugongs vulnerable to human threats. Diet. Dugongs are sometimes called 'sea cows' because they graze on seagrasses. read more