. What is the passage about? Why are they called as gentle giants? 2. How are dugongs classified as herbivorous? Support your answer. 3. Why are dugongs closely relative to elephants than other marine mammals like dolphins, whales and seals? What statements in the passage support your answer? 4. What do you think are the reasons why dugongs become endangered? 5. What can we do to prevent the extinction of these animals?
- What is the passage about? Why are they called as gentle giants? 2. How are dugongs classified as herbivorous? Support your answer. 3. Why are dugongs closely relative to elephants than other marine mammals like dolphins, whales and seals? What statements in the passage support your answer? 4. What do you think are the reasons why dugongs become endangered? 5. What can we do to prevent the extinction of these animals?
The Correct Answer and Explanation is:
Answer and Explanation
- What is the passage about? Why are they called gentle giants?
The passage is about dugongs, peaceful marine mammals that live in shallow coastal waters. They are called gentle giants because of their large size and calm, slow-moving, non-aggressive nature. Dugongs are known for peacefully grazing on seagrasses, much like underwater cows, and they rarely pose any threat to humans or other sea creatures. - How are dugongs classified as herbivorous? Support your answer.
Dugongs are classified as herbivores because they eat only plants, particularly seagrass. They spend most of their time grazing on underwater meadows, pulling up seagrass with their bristled, sensitive upper lips. Their digestive systems are adapted to break down plant material, just like land-dwelling herbivores. - Why are dugongs more closely related to elephants than dolphins, whales, and seals? What statements in the passage support your answer?
Dugongs are more closely related to elephants than to other marine mammals like dolphins and whales because of their evolutionary ancestry. The passage may state that dugongs and elephants share a common ancestor, placing them in a separate group from dolphins, whales, and seals. This means they evolved from the same land-dwelling animals millions of years ago before adapting to life in the sea. - What do you think are the reasons why dugongs become endangered?
Dugongs are endangered because of habitat loss, water pollution, boat strikes, and accidental fishing. Seagrass beds, their main food source, are being destroyed by coastal development and pollution. Climate change and oil spills also impact their survival. Their slow reproduction rate adds to the risk of population decline. - What can we do to prevent the extinction of these animals?
To prevent dugong extinction, we should protect seagrass habitats, enforce marine protection laws, reduce water pollution, and raise awareness. Governments and communities can work together to create marine sanctuaries, limit boat traffic, and support eco-friendly tourism that respects marine life.
