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Steller's Sea Cow: Difference between revisions
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Unlike modern sirenians, the Steller's Sea Cow was completely buoyant, meaning it could not fully submerge itself. Their thick outer skin (around 1 in. thick) helped protect them from the cold as well as sharp rocks and ice. A dense layer of blubber, as thick as 3-4 inches, also helped protect them from the frigid waters of the Bering Sea. The skin was described as brownish-black, with white patches on some individuals. It was smooth along its back and rough on its sides. This rough texture lead to the nickname of "bark animal". | Unlike modern sirenians, the Steller's Sea Cow was completely buoyant, meaning it could not fully submerge itself. Their thick outer skin (around 1 in. thick) helped protect them from the cold as well as sharp rocks and ice. A dense layer of blubber, as thick as 3-4 inches, also helped protect them from the frigid waters of the Bering Sea. The skin was described as brownish-black, with white patches on some individuals. It was smooth along its back and rough on its sides. This rough texture lead to the nickname of "bark animal". | ||
Georg Steller described the animal as being very social and gregarious, living in small family groups. They were noted to be monogamous and exhibited parental care toward the young. Mating season occurred in early spring, with gestation taking a little over a year. Since Steller observed a greater number of calves in autumn than at any other time of the year, it is likely calves were born in those months. Females had only one set of mammary glands, and as such, they likely had one calf at a time. | Georg Steller described the animal as being very social and gregarious, living in small family groups. They were noted to be monogamous and exhibited parental care toward the young. Mating season occurred in early spring, with gestation taking a little over a year. Since Steller observed a greater number of calves in autumn than at any other time of the year, it is likely calves were born in those months. Females had only one set of mammary glands, and as such, they likely had one calf at a time. | ||
Steller also reported an incident where as one female was being captured, the rest of the group attacked the boat by ramming the sides with their heads. After the hunt, the mate of the captured female followed the boat to shore, even after she had passed. | Steller also reported an incident where as one female was being captured, the rest of the group attacked the boat by ramming the sides with their heads. After the hunt, the mate of the captured female followed the boat to shore, even after she had passed. | ||
|trivia=* Today the term Sea Cow is often used to refer to the Manatee or Dugong. | |trivia=[[File:Em - Hydrodamalis gigas model.jpg|thumb|left|Model in the Natural History Museum of London. Photo by Emőke Dénes.]] | ||
* Today the term Sea Cow is often used to refer to the Manatee or Dugong. | |||
* As of 2017, two mostly complete skeletons have been found- one in 1987, measuring 9.8 ft. and one in 2017, measuring around 15 ft. | * As of 2017, two mostly complete skeletons have been found- one in 1987, measuring 9.8 ft. and one in 2017, measuring around 15 ft. | ||
* The estimated weight of modern findings contradicts Steller's original writings: he guessed 4 and 24.3 t (4.4 and 26.8 short tons), which is equivalent to around 8800-53600 lbs. | * The estimated weight of modern findings contradicts Steller's original writings: he guessed 4 and 24.3 t (4.4 and 26.8 short tons), which is equivalent to around 8800-53600 lbs. | ||