The Sea Cow

  • Hydrodamalis cuestae, or "Big Mama" our fossil sea cow arrives at the Museum.
  • Half "fleshed-out" and half skeletal, the Museum's modeled body and cast skeleton is currently the only exhibit of this fossil in the world.
  • In 2000, a Museum Paleontologist discovered the most complete specimen of this species yet found.
  • Big Mama up close.
  • Off the truck.
  • Onto the forklift...
  • And up onto the freight elevator (in two pieces).
  • Big Mama "swimming" to the elevator.
  • Now extinct, Hydrodamalis cuestae was the largest sirenian to ever live. Sirenians, popularly know as sea cows, are plant-eating marine mammals distantly related to elephants.
  • The exhibits team stabilizes the sea cow, holding onto it's barnacle-laden skin.
  • Hydrodamalis cuestae had an incredibly stout skeleton. The density and heft may have helped counteract some of their blubbery buoyancy.
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  • Hydrodamalis cuestae remains have been found in California, Baja California, and Japan. During the Pleistocene, Hydrodamalis occurred around the entire rim of the north Pacific.
  • The Museum's specimen is a composite cast skeleton.
  • During the Pleistocene, Hydrodamalis occurred around the entire rim of the north Pacific. Today the dugong is the only surviving member of the whole Dugongidae family.
  • Big Mama gets her first look at her new home.
  • Living sirenians (manatees and dugongs) are warm water tropical animals that feed on sea grass and algae.
  • During the Pleistocene, Hydrodamalis occurred around the entire rim of the north Pacific. Today the dugong is the only surviving member of the whole Dugongidae family.
  • Hydrodamalis cuestae probably weighed in at 10 metric tons (22,046 pounds) and grew up to 33 feet long.
  • Big Mama in the northeast corner of the Museum's Sefton Atrium.
  • From where she hangs, Big Mama watches over her calf, down on the exhibition floor.
  • Our sea cow and shark, both full size, are separated by a hundred feet (and a few million years).
  • A view from the third floor.
  • Making final adjustments.
  • Ta-da!