Vanuatu partner films dugong mother nursing calf
June 19, 2016
Our project partners the Vanuatu Environmental Science Society shared a video of a dugong mother nursing her calf. We think its the first time dugong nursing behavior has ever been recorded on film.
Rather than nursing as she swims, the dugong mother takes her calf to settle on the bottom to feed. The dugong mammary glands are located near her pectoral fins. The calf can be heard making a chirping noise at 00:08 seconds and a squeak at 00:38 seconds.
Thanks to the diving outfitter ‘Big Blue Vanuatu’ and Norman Sheridan for sharing the video and allowing us publish it.