Steller’s Sea Cow, known scientifically as Hydrodamalis gigas, was a large, slow-moving, marine mammal that was hunted to extinction for its hide, meat, and blubber in the 18th century. Much of what is known about Steller’s Sea Cow is from observations made by Georg Wilhelm Steller when an sea expedition he was on shipwrecked on Bering Island giving him time to observe this creature in its natural habitat, the Bering Sea. Before modern times, the Steller’s Sea Cow is believed to have lived all across the Pacific ocean, but then had its habitat constricted due to the glacial cycle. The Steller’s Sea Cow’s only living relative is the much smaller dugong, which is considered vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN.
Steller's Sea Cows had a total length between 26’-30’ (7.9-9.1 m), body height of 6.5’-7.4’ (200-225 cm), and width of 6.5’-7.4’ (200-225 cm). The typical weight of the Steller's Sea Cow was in the range of 16,000-20,000 lb (7,260-9,070 kg). Steller's Sea Cow had lifespans between 50-80 years.
Steller’s Sea Cow, known scientifically as Hydrodamalis gigas, was a large, slow-moving, marine mammal that was hunted to extinction for its hide, meat, and blubber in the 18th century. Much of what is known about Steller’s Sea Cow is from observations made by Georg Wilhelm Steller when an sea expedition he was on shipwrecked on Bering Island giving him time to observe this creature in its natural habitat, the Bering Sea. Before modern times, the Steller’s Sea Cow is believed to have lived all across the Pacific ocean, but then had its habitat constricted due to the glacial cycle. The Steller’s Sea Cow’s only living relative is the much smaller dugong, which is considered vulnerable to extinction by the IUCN.
Steller's Sea Cows had a total length between 26’-30’ (7.9-9.1 m), body height of 6.5’-7.4’ (200-225 cm), and width of 6.5’-7.4’ (200-225 cm). The typical weight of the Steller's Sea Cow was in the range of 16,000-20,000 lb (7,260-9,070 kg). Steller's Sea Cow had lifespans between 50-80 years.
Steller's Sea Cow
3D Model
Steller's Sea Cow
Common Questions
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Sea Cows Questions
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Sea Cows Questions
What are the characteristics of Sirenia?
The characteristics of Sirenia include having a robust body form as well as thick skin with very little hair. Sirenia also have 2 nostrils either at the top or front of their muzzle. Sirenia have no ear pinnae as well as no hind limbs and a horizontally flattened tail.
How do Sirenia obtain food?
Sirenians are vegetarians and obtain food by feeding on seagrasses as well as other marine plants. Sirenians gather food by being bottom-feeders and typically eat only what lives on the ocean floor while others feed by swimming from the water’s surface to the bottom of the water’s floor.
What is the greatest threat on Sirenia?
The greatest threats on Sirenia include human activities such as hunting, killing fishers, as well as collisions with boats and ships. Natural factors that are threats to Sirenia include predation, severe climatic events, infectious diseases, and microparasites. All these factors serve as threats to the Sirenian population.
What are the characteristics of Sirenia?
The characteristics of Sirenia include having a robust body form as well as thick skin with very little hair. Sirenia also have 2 nostrils either at the top or front of their muzzle. Sirenia have no ear pinnae as well as no hind limbs and a horizontally flattened tail.
How do Sirenia obtain food?
Sirenians are vegetarians and obtain food by feeding on seagrasses as well as other marine plants. Sirenians gather food by being bottom-feeders and typically eat only what lives on the ocean floor while others feed by swimming from the water’s surface to the bottom of the water’s floor.
What is the greatest threat on Sirenia?
The greatest threats on Sirenia include human activities such as hunting, killing fishers, as well as collisions with boats and ships. Natural factors that are threats to Sirenia include predation, severe climatic events, infectious diseases, and microparasites. All these factors serve as threats to the Sirenian population.
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Afrotheres Questions
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Afrotheres Questions
Why are Afrotheria different than other mammals?
Afrotheria are different than other mammals as the 7 groups that make up this clade are not physically in resemblance with one another so their relationship is not often known. The 7 groups that make up this order include the elephants, sea cows, hyraxes, aardvarks, elephant shrews, golden moles, and tenrecs.
How many species of Afrotheria are there?
In total there are 4,700 species of Afrotheria which make up about one-third of all the living orders of mammals. The Afrotheria species make up about 80 of the 1,250 species of mammals that live in Africa and Madagascar.
Are aardvarks and elephants related?
Aardvarks and elephants are related as they both belong to the group of primitive ungulates that are called Uranotherians. The split between them took place more than 90 million years ago and led to the Ungulate, Carnivore, Xenarthran, and Cetacean orders. Aardvarks and elephants are part of the Afrotheres clade.
Why are Afrotheria different than other mammals?
Afrotheria are different than other mammals as the 7 groups that make up this clade are not physically in resemblance with one another so their relationship is not often known. The 7 groups that make up this order include the elephants, sea cows, hyraxes, aardvarks, elephant shrews, golden moles, and tenrecs.
How many species of Afrotheria are there?
In total there are 4,700 species of Afrotheria which make up about one-third of all the living orders of mammals. The Afrotheria species make up about 80 of the 1,250 species of mammals that live in Africa and Madagascar.
Are aardvarks and elephants related?
Aardvarks and elephants are related as they both belong to the group of primitive ungulates that are called Uranotherians. The split between them took place more than 90 million years ago and led to the Ungulate, Carnivore, Xenarthran, and Cetacean orders. Aardvarks and elephants are part of the Afrotheres clade.
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Mammals Questions
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Mammals Questions
When did mammals first appear?
Mammals first appeared during the Triassic period which was about 252 million to 201 million years ago and were members of the reptilian order Therapsida. This order had a subclass, Synapsida which are sometimes referred to as mammal-like reptiles. They were part of the Carboniferous period and are considered one of the earliest reptilian groups.
Which mammal species lay eggs?
The only 2 mammal species that lay eggs are the duck-billed platypus and the echidna, also known as the spiny anteater. The reasons these 2 mammals still lay eggs may be due to their distant ancestors as well as other primitive traits like their reptile-like shoulders.
What are the most common mammal species?
The most common mammal species are humans as it is the most numerous species of mammal on Earth. As of 2022, the human population reached 7.9 billion. Human beings are the only species that are close to exceeding the number of members of the brown rat and the house mouse.
When did mammals first appear?
Mammals first appeared during the Triassic period which was about 252 million to 201 million years ago and were members of the reptilian order Therapsida. This order had a subclass, Synapsida which are sometimes referred to as mammal-like reptiles. They were part of the Carboniferous period and are considered one of the earliest reptilian groups.
Which mammal species lay eggs?
The only 2 mammal species that lay eggs are the duck-billed platypus and the echidna, also known as the spiny anteater. The reasons these 2 mammals still lay eggs may be due to their distant ancestors as well as other primitive traits like their reptile-like shoulders.
What are the most common mammal species?
The most common mammal species are humans as it is the most numerous species of mammal on Earth. As of 2022, the human population reached 7.9 billion. Human beings are the only species that are close to exceeding the number of members of the brown rat and the house mouse.
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Coastal Animals Questions
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Coastal Animals Questions
How do animals adapt to the coast?
Animals adapt to the coast by adjusting to living in salty water as well as being able to withstand being covered or uncovered by the tide. Further coastal adaptations also include being able to hide or escape quickly from predators, finding food, and staying in a safe place as the tides move.
Why are coasts important for wildlife?
Coasts are important for wildlife because they serve as nesting grounds for species of sea turtles as well as are habitats for animals like beach mice. Coasts are also important foraging areas for migratory shorebirds. Coasts are important as they are used in cohesion by all species of animals.
How does coastal erosion affect animals?
Coastal erosion affects animals and humans as it causes sea levels to rise, flooding, as well as stronger waves. Coastal erosion also causes the gradual loss of land that is important to many animals. Coastal erosion is when a portion of land is lost within a shoreline by either natural events or manmade decisions.
How do animals adapt to the coast?
Animals adapt to the coast by adjusting to living in salty water as well as being able to withstand being covered or uncovered by the tide. Further coastal adaptations also include being able to hide or escape quickly from predators, finding food, and staying in a safe place as the tides move.
Why are coasts important for wildlife?
Coasts are important for wildlife because they serve as nesting grounds for species of sea turtles as well as are habitats for animals like beach mice. Coasts are also important foraging areas for migratory shorebirds. Coasts are important as they are used in cohesion by all species of animals.
How does coastal erosion affect animals?
Coastal erosion affects animals and humans as it causes sea levels to rise, flooding, as well as stronger waves. Coastal erosion also causes the gradual loss of land that is important to many animals. Coastal erosion is when a portion of land is lost within a shoreline by either natural events or manmade decisions.
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Estuary Animals Questions
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Estuary Animals Questions
How do animals survive in estuaries?
Animals survive in estuaries by adapting to the harsh conditions of their habitat. Estuaries either have salt water or fresh water. Animals survive by adapting to live in the different types of conditions and remaining in the regions of the estuaries where they are most comfortable and have consistency.
Why do fish lay eggs in estuaries?
Fish lay eggs in estuaries because these habitats offer a great amount of food availability for the development of young fish while also providing protection from predators. Estuaries are often used as breeding grounds by many species of fish due to these factors and are considered highly valuable.
Why are estuaries important for birds?
Estuaries are important for birds because estuaries offer a mix of nutrients from both the land and sea, creating a rich ecosystem. Since estuaries house numerous species of fish, they also create a food source for birds. Birds also use the beaches next to estuaries for feeding, resting, and breeding.
How do animals survive in estuaries?
Animals survive in estuaries by adapting to the harsh conditions of their habitat. Estuaries either have salt water or fresh water. Animals survive by adapting to live in the different types of conditions and remaining in the regions of the estuaries where they are most comfortable and have consistency.
Why do fish lay eggs in estuaries?
Fish lay eggs in estuaries because these habitats offer a great amount of food availability for the development of young fish while also providing protection from predators. Estuaries are often used as breeding grounds by many species of fish due to these factors and are considered highly valuable.
Why are estuaries important for birds?
Estuaries are important for birds because estuaries offer a mix of nutrients from both the land and sea, creating a rich ecosystem. Since estuaries house numerous species of fish, they also create a food source for birds. Birds also use the beaches next to estuaries for feeding, resting, and breeding.
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Extinct Animals Questions
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Extinct Animals Questions
What causes animals to go extinct?
The factors that cause animals to go extinct are mainly the loss and degradation of habitat which is mainly due to deforestation. Other causes for animals going extinct are exploitation through hunting and overfishing, invasive species, and climate change. Plastic pollution and emerging diseases are also factors that play a role in the extinction of animals.
Can extinct animals be brought back?
Extinct animals have not successfully been brought back as of today. Scientists need to sequence its genome and then edit the DNA of a close living relative to match it. Afterwards, they would need to make embryos with the revised genome and have a surrogate mother carry them.
Which animals have gone extinct because of climate change?
Animals that have gone extinct because of climate change include the golden toad and the north Atlantic cod is threatened. The staghorn coral and orange-spotted filefish have also had their population numbers affected by the effects of climate change. It is up to humans to make the necessary changes and help endangered animal species.
What causes animals to go extinct?
The factors that cause animals to go extinct are mainly the loss and degradation of habitat which is mainly due to deforestation. Other causes for animals going extinct are exploitation through hunting and overfishing, invasive species, and climate change. Plastic pollution and emerging diseases are also factors that play a role in the extinction of animals.
Can extinct animals be brought back?
Extinct animals have not successfully been brought back as of today. Scientists need to sequence its genome and then edit the DNA of a close living relative to match it. Afterwards, they would need to make embryos with the revised genome and have a surrogate mother carry them.
Which animals have gone extinct because of climate change?
Animals that have gone extinct because of climate change include the golden toad and the north Atlantic cod is threatened. The staghorn coral and orange-spotted filefish have also had their population numbers affected by the effects of climate change. It is up to humans to make the necessary changes and help endangered animal species.
