The Home of the Dugong
In The Home of the Dugong, narrator Sir David Attenborough explains that survival is not easy for animals that live outside the coral reef. Witness their defense mechanisms, and get to know the huge and gentle dugong. This video is excerpted from BBC's Planet Earth, a breathtaking documentary series that highlights the natural wonders of our planet.
Sir David Attenborough takes you inside the most remote, extreme, and jaw-dropping corners of the planet — filmed over four years across 64 countries. Learn more.
Lesson Express
Q: What are some defense mechanisms you saw in the video?
A: An octopus uses camouflage to blend into its surroundings; the gurnard disguises its shape with large fins; the jawfish hides underground; the wonderpus warns of its dangerous bite.
Q: How is the open shallow sea similar to a prairie?
A: It is a large, flat expanse; grasses grow there; it supports herds of grazing animals; it is lush and green.
Q: How does the dugong obtain enough food to sustain its half-ton body?
A: It uses large, mobile lips to push sand aside and excavate the rhizomes of the sea-grass.
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