Dugongs

/ˈduːɡɔːŋz/ noun

Definition

Plural of dugong; multiple large marine mammals related to manatees that inhabit warm coastal regions.

Etymology

Simple plural form of 'dugong,' formed by adding the standard English '-s' suffix. The singular term comes from Malay 'dugong,' as established in English maritime vocabulary.

Kelly Says

Dugongs are actually more closely related to elephants than to whales—they're both part of a group called Paenungulata! Knowing this fact makes 'dugongs' even more interesting because you're talking about creatures that evolved from land animals that returned to the sea.

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