The Steller Sea Cow was found along the North Pacific coast to California and Japan. This large manatee-like creature was given its name by Georg Wilhelm Steller who discovered it in 1741.
The Steller Sea Cow grew up to 25.9 feet long and weighed up to 4 tons. It had a small head, stubby front limbs and a whale-like tail. Its think, black skin was described as resembling tree bark. Since the Steller Sea Cow only ate plants, it had no teeth, only two flat bones one above the other. It never came to shore and lived in cold water.
Once the Sea Cow was discovered it didn’t take long before their numbers dwindled. It was very tame and docile which made it an easy target for hunters. The Steller Sea Cow’s hide was used in making boats, the fat for use in oil lamps and its meat for food.
Unfortunately, within 27 years of its discovery the slow moving Sea Cow was hunted to extinction.
Is it wrong the Sea Cow is gone? Perhaps if this creature would have been given a chance we’d be able to watch a herd of them, slowly swimming by as they dug up their favorite food, the sea kelp. What a sight!