Hydrodamalis [Hydrodamalis]
Description
Hydrodamalis is an extinct genus that was part of the Dugongidae family, known from the Pleistocene to the Holocene period. The most famous species within this genus is Hydrodamalis gigas, the Steller's sea cow, which was a massive marine mammal that became extinct in the 18th century, within 27 years of its discovery by Europeans. These marine mammals were once found near the kelp beds around the Commander Islands in the Bering Sea between Alaska and Russia. Hydrodamalis species were characterized by their enormous size, with the Steller's sea cow reaching lengths of up to 9 meters, lack of a dorsal fin, and thick, bark-like skin. They were herbivorous, feeding primarily on kelp and other marine vegetation.
Species
