Halicore is a term used to refer to a genus of marine mammals known as dugongs. Dugongs are large herbivorous mammals that belong to the order Sirenia, along with their close relatives, manatees. The genus Halicore is recognized to contain only one extant species, the dugong (Halicore dugong), found primarily in coastal waters of the Indian Ocean and western Pacific Ocean.
Typically characterized by their torpedo-shaped bodies, dugongs grow to impressive lengths, usually around three to four meters, with females being slightly larger than males. They have round heads, small eyes, and a prominent snout that projects downward into a specialized mouth adapted for grazing on seagrass. Dugongs are known for their distinctive shape, tapering to a broad, horizontally flattened tail, which propels them efficiently through the water.
Halicore species are well adapted to a fully aquatic lifestyle, inhabiting warm coastal waters, including estuaries, mangroves, and seagrass beds. They rely heavily on seagrass as their primary source of food, consuming large quantities on a daily basis. Due to their specialized diet, dugongs prefer shallow coastal areas where seagrass is abundant.
Dugongs are considered vulnerable species due to various threats, such as hunting, coastal development, habitat degradation, and accidental entanglement in fishing gear. Their conservation status is closely monitored to ensure the preservation of their natural habitats and populations.
