The C3 Dugong Quiz
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Dugongs natural predators include...?
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Tiger shark
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Killer whales
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Crocodiles
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All of the above
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- 2.
Sailors used to believe Dugongs were...?
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Sirens
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Aliens
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Neptunes water cattle
Correct Answer
A. SirensExplanation
The dugong and the manatee are related to the myth of sirens, enough to be classified in the order of Sirenians (or Sirenidae). The myth of sirens dates back to the civilization of ancient Greece. Among theories as to why this came about is the fact that the female dugong has her teats very close to the base of her flippers: often, while suckling, she holds her baby tight on her breast using her flippers, thus reminding sailors of a woman breast feeding!Rate this question:
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- 3.
A typical Dugong dive lasts...?
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1-3 minutes
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5-10 minutes
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30 minutes
Correct Answer
A. 1-3 minutesExplanation
Unlike other marine mammals, dugongs cannot hold their breath under water for very long. As their food source, seagrass, lives in shallow water they have no need to dive deep, this also means however they are more susceptable to accidental boat strikes as they spend most of their time near the surface!Rate this question:
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- 4.
In Madagascar, it is considered taboo to allow pregnant women any knowledge of a Dugong capture?
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True
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False
Correct Answer
A. TrueExplanation
C3 has discovered that many different taboos, or 'fadys' exist in Madagascar surrounding the Dugong, varying between individuals and community groups. Many fadys are associated with the sex organs of dugongs. It is a widespread belief that fishermen who have captured a dugong must swear that they have not had intercourse with it. At all times following capture, including during the slaughter, the genitals, teats and head must be covered from the general public, particularly women and children, to prevent discussion about the event. This is of particular importance for pregnant women.Rate this question:
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- 5.
Dugongs are related to...?
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Dolphins
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Elephants
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Whales
Correct Answer
A. ElephantsExplanation
Dugongs are the only herbivorous marine mammal and are more closely related to elephants than whales or dolphins.Rate this question:
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- 6.
Dugongs are listed as ...... on the IUCN Red List of Threatened species
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Threatened
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Vulnerable
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Endangered
Correct Answer
A. VulnerableExplanation
The dugong’s range spans at least 48 countries and an estimated 140,000 km of coastline. The IUCN synthesis indicates that the dugong is declining or extinct in at least a third of its range, of unknown status in about half its range and possibly stable in the remainder – mainly the remote coasts of the Northern Territory and Western Australia. C3 has found evidence to suggest Dugongs are still present in some areas of Northern Madagascar but numbers have declined significantly in the last 20 years. If work doesnt continue to protect these remaining Dugongs the species will vanish from these water altogether!Rate this question:
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- 7.
In Egypt, the name for Dugong is 'Arusa el bahar', but what does it mean?
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The Cow of the Sea
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The Beauty of the Sea
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The Ugly Swimming Women
Correct Answer
A. The Beauty of the SeaExplanation
The eastern side of the Red Sea is home to a large population of Dugongs numbering in the hundreds, and similar populations are thought to exist on the western side. In the 1980s, it was estimated there could be as many as 4,000 Dugongs in the Red SeaRate this question:
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- 8.
Since June 2009 C3 has conducted over...... key informant interviews to gather data on the status, distribution, threats and socio-economic and cultural values of Dugongs in Northern Madagascar?
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450
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500
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600
Correct Answer
A. 600Explanation
C3's work shows that although Dugongs were present in large numbers in the past, the population has been in decline, particularly since the 1990s. Deliberate hunting is no longer commonplace, instead accidental capture in gill nets poses the greatest threat to the continuance of the species in the area.Rate this question:
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- 9.
Dugongs can live for ...?
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30 years
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50 years
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70 years
Correct Answer
A. 70 yearsExplanation
The oldest recorded Dugong lived to 73 years old!!Rate this question:
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- 10.
One belief in Madagascar is that ground Dugong bones can cure headaches?
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True
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False
Correct Answer
A. FalseExplanation
C3 has found that some people believe that ground Dugong bones will cure stomach aches, whilst others believe that oil collected by boiling the dugong’s head can be used for curing ear infections!Rate this question:
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Our quizzes are rigorously reviewed, monitored and continuously updated by our expert board to maintain accuracy, relevance, and timeliness.
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Current Version
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Mar 20, 2023Quiz Edited by
ProProfs Editorial Team -
Feb 24, 2012Quiz Created by
Jim_catlin
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