Most of us have never seen a Dugong, because they usually live south of the equator in areas around Australia. In many ways their hats are like the porpoise’s, but they are bigger, often between 8 and 15 feet long and weigh up to 750 pounds. They are air-breathing mammals, but like the sea lions of the north, they have heavy bones which help them submerge quickly. Their nostrils automatically close when under water where they can remain from five to eight minutes before having to return to the surface for air.
Like dolphins and whales Dongs stay close by their mates usually traveling as a family with a small “calf” beside them. If one is injured the other stays close by, helping it rise to the surface for air if unable to do so by itself. The mother, which usually has one calf each year, floats on her back and cradles the little one in her flippers when nursing it so the baby can breathe while getting its meal.
Unlike dolphins and whales, these animals do not eat fish or marine life. Their diet is strictly seaweed and grasses that grow beneath the surface of the water, and that is how they have gotten the nickname “Sea Cow.” God has equipped them especially for this kind of life. Since they feed mostly in the twilight or dark, they have been given large eyes which have a protective, transparent covering itead of eyelids. They have no outside ears—just openings on each side of their head—yet they have very good hearing.
Besides having efficient flippers Dugongs have paddle-like, forked tails, similar to whales, which help them to maneuver swiftly. Their upper lip is covered with long, tough, bristle-like hairs which help them to select plant food. Their teeth are designed to quickly cut through the tough stems of seaweed and other water plants. An adult will eat almost 100 pounds of food each day. Where large numbers of these animals group together, they use up the food supply so they must move to another location. However, these underwater plants grow quickly, and they soon can come back to these same feeding grounds.
Dugongs have been around since the days of creation and were given all their abilities to survive when the Lord God created them. Contrary to what some people teach, they have not had to develop their skills and physical features over millions of years. All their needs were provided for when they were placed on the earth.
As the many wonders of God’s creation come to our attention, it is good to think about His counsel: “Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth.” Ecclesiastes 12:11Remember now thy Creator in the days of thy youth, while the evil days come not, nor the years draw nigh, when thou shalt say, I have no pleasure in them; (Ecclesiastes 12:1). He is certainly the Creator of all things, but He is more than that to those who will respond to His Word: “Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth... (and to believe in) the man Christ Jesus; who gave Himself a ransom for all.” 1 Timothy 2:4-64Who will have all men to be saved, and to come unto the knowledge of the truth. 5For there is one God, and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus; 6Who gave himself a ransom for all, to be testified in due time. (1 Timothy 2:4‑6). Besides being your Creator, is He also your Saviour?
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