Dugong

This odd animal is actually a cousin to the manatee. It is also a close relative of the elephant. Combined together, it creates the animal known as the dugong. It’s an on land and underwater creature that can be found in the warm waters of East Africa to Australia. The dugong can last underwater for six minutes with no air. When it surfaces above water, its strong tail supports it, allowing the animal to float head above water, almost as if it were standing. Many scientists believe that these animals were what encouraged the idea of mermaids. Since this mammal is so rare, it’s hunted a great deal. Poachers are constantly after this animal, and already an endangered species. It’s a shame to see such a neat creature be destroyed like it has been. What makes something even rarer about the dugong is that it’s harmless to the world. Since they’re herbivores, they don’t eat any meat. It's sensitive snout is used to chomp small grasses, with the bristles located in there rough lips. These gentle giants have an average lifespan of 70 years, which is impressive sense they carry weight from 510 to 1100 lbs. They also grow to be 8 to 10 feet long, and travel in herds.