Quick answer
Dugongs are native to Africa and Asia and Oceania. Shallow coastal waters and seagrass meadows from East Africa through the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
Native range
Shallow coastal waters and seagrass meadows from East Africa through the Red Sea, Arabian Gulf, and Indian Ocean to Southeast Asia and northern Australia.
Continents
- Africa
- Asia
- Oceania
Habitat notes
Adults reach 2.5–3 m (8–10 ft) and 230–400 kg (500–880 lb), surface to breathe every few minutes, and are listed Vulnerable due to boat strikes, net entanglement, and seagrass loss
FAQs
Where can I learn more about the dugong?
See our full dugong profile for habitat, diet, and conservation status.
Where do these facts come from?
Researched from IUCN Red List data and our editorial dugong species profile.