Dugong: the gentle giant linked to mermaid legends

With its sturdy body, downward-facing snout and unhurried movements near the surface, the dugong might seem like a creature from an ancient maritime legend. This large mammal inhabits warm coastal waters and belongs to the sirenian group, long connected with accounts of beings that sailors interpreted as possible mermaids.

Why was the dugong linked to mermaid stories?

Before photography and detailed scientific research, sailors spotted unfamiliar animals from afar and described them by comparing them with things they already knew. Dugongs and other sirenians, glimpsed partly above the water, may have inspired some tales of marine creatures with a vaguely human appearance.

The connection was also strengthened by their arm-like front flippers and their habit of rising to the surface to breathe. That does not mean every mermaid story originated with them, but it does explain how brief encounters in little-known seas could give rise to extraordinary accounts.

What is this gentle giant of the sea like?

The dugong, scientifically known as Dugong dugon, has a rounded body, usually greyish skin and a divided tail resembling that of certain cetaceans. Adults can grow to around three metres long, making an encounter with this animal an impressive experience.

Despite its size, it is generally discreet and moves slowly. Unlike fish, it must surface regularly to breathe because it is a mammal. It is also exclusively marine, whereas some related species, such as manatees, can use freshwater habitats.

What makes the dugong so distinctive?

Much of a dugong’s life revolves around seagrass meadows in shallow coastal waters. Its broad, downward-angled snout is an effective tool for reaching vegetation on the seabed, even leaving visible trails in the places where it has fed.

• It lives solely in marine environments and commonly inhabits shallow coastal waters.
• It feeds mainly on seagrass growing on the ocean floor.
• As an adult, it can reach approximately three metres in length.
• Its divided tail and front flippers help it move through the water.

Together, these features reveal a highly specialised animal. By grazing on underwater meadows, the dugong also contributes to the dynamics of these habitats, demonstrating that its role extends far beyond the curiosity sparked by its size or its possible connection to old maritime myths.

Watch the video shared by the National Geographic YouTube channel, showing the dugong in its natural habitat.

Where can dugongs still be found?

Today, the species is found mainly in tropical and subtropical waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific, including areas near East Africa, southern Asia, South-East Asia and Australia. Its presence is directly dependent on the availability of extensive seagrass meadows.

Because these coastal habitats can be affected by human activity, environmental changes and seabed degradation, protecting feeding areas is essential for the species’ continued survival. Population recovery can also be slow, making consistent conservation measures even more important.

Why does protecting the dugong also mean protecting the ocean?

Learning about the dugong turns an old curiosity about mermaids into a far more relevant discussion. The seagrass meadows it relies on provide habitat for countless other species, and changes to these ecosystems can have consequences far beyond the survival of a single mammal.

So, when you see an image of this unusually shaped giant, remember that it has a fascinating natural history behind it. Share this curiosity and help build greater interest in marine life, because protecting little-known species begins when more people discover that they exist.