Named sea cows because of their habit of grazing in herds and being an easy source of food, Steller's Sea Cow was rapidly hunted to extinction.
Picture Credit: Emőke Dénes
Amazing Facts About the Steller’s Sea Cow
- They were the largest of the sea cow family, bigger than manitees and dugongs… Adults were up to 9 metres long (about 30 feet)!
- Steller’s Sea Cow’s lived in herds, floating close to the surface to feed on sea grasses.
Steller's Sea Cow Extinction
- The Steller’s Sea Cow became extinct in 1768, just 30 years after it was discovered.
- Their speedy demise was due to rapid hunting by humans to provide meat for long sea expeditions – 1 sea cow was said to feed a ship full of men for 30 days.
- They moved slowly, which made them very easy targets for hunters.