Dugong Skull(Callorhinus ursinus)
Classification:Family
Description:
The back and sides of the body are slate-gray while the
underside is paler, as in almost all fish. Their body is covered
with scattered hairs, with denser whiskers on the face. The
dugong's eyes are small, round and black; and their ears are
tiny openings with no external parts. The nostrils are large and
crescent-shaped and can be closed to limit water from entering
when diving. Dugongs grow about 8 to over 13 feet long, and
weigh between 500 and 2000 lbs. The main activity of the dugong
is searching for and consuming food to maintain its size. It
moves about in herds which once numbered up to several hundred
individuals, but are now usually limited to a half-dozen
individuals. It swims by propelling itself along with its tail
while holding the forelimbs close to the sides of its body.
Although it feeds at night, its activities are probably governed
less by light than by tidal movements, The forelimbs are then
used to dig out the roots of various sea grasses, which are then
torn apart by the mouth.
Age: Modern
Size: 11.8 in / 30 cm
Item#: dugong-skull-ca-11038-va
Cost: $340
(+ shipping)
Amazon Manatee Skull
Classification: Family
Description:
Trichechus Inunguis. This manatee is the Amazon's
largest mammal, weighing over 1000 pounds. It is entirely
aquatic, feeding only on plants such as water hyacinth and water
lettuce. It is a powerful swimmer and propels itself by moving
its tail up and down. The Amazonian manatee is becoming very
rare - it is officially an endangered species. Mostly this is
due to over-hunting, as the meat is highly prized by hunters,
and it fetches a good price at market. Hence most specimens
visitors see are in captivity.
Age: Modern
Size: 15.6 in/39.5 cm 9.4/24 9.9/25.2
Weight: 69 oz.
Item#: amazon-manatee-skull-ca-22586-va
Cost: $400
(+ shipping)
West Indian Manatee Skull
Classification: Family
Description:
Trichechus Manatus. The manatee is gray with pink
patches, and the front feet have claws. The tail is flattened
horizontally, as with whales, and it is spatula-shaped. The body
is covered with scattered hairs and it has thick whiskers on the
face. The eyes are small and can be sealed water-tight by means
of a sphincter muscle. The ear openings are also small. As its
teeth wear out in the front, they are replaced from the rear, as
in elephants. Manatees grow from 8 to 15 feet long, and weigh up
to about 1100 lbs. The manatee is a herbivorous mammal. In
saltwater it feeds on sea grasses, while in the rivers it lives
on various aquatic plants. Generally, the manatee is a solitary
animal, but seeing small groups of two to six individuals is not
uncommon. The manatee spends most of its time eating and
sleeping. It breathes through its nose (it is incapable of
breathing through its mouth) and only the tip of the snout is
above the water surface.
Age: Modern
Size: 16.1 in / 41.0 cm
Item#: west-indian-manatee-skull-r-s76-va
Cost: $400
(+ shipping)
