Articulated Manatee Skeleton SC-046-A
$8,900.00

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Manatees are members of the order Sirenia, from the Latin 'Siren.' Could it be that this massive 10-foot long, half ton mammal fueled the mermaid myth? Certainly the Manatee's tail inspires our image of the mermaid, as does the up and down swimming movement achieved with this wide paddle. Noteworthy characteristics include vestigial pelvic bones, only six cervical vertebrae, elongated lungs, and pectoral fins containing five digits enclosed by thick skin. The ribs and other long bones of the Manatee are especially heavy, as they do not have marrow cavities. Please see our Manatee skull, BC-046. The support rods are included but the wooden base is not, shown here for display purposes only.

Disarticulated Manatee Skeleton SC-046-D
$7,700.00

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Note that all postcranial bones shown are separated even though they appear fused. They live in warm coastal waters and estuaries and are endangered due to changes in climate, commercial exploitation, subsistence hunting and, most recently, propeller boat injuries. These gentle animals are more closely related to Elephants, Hyraxes and Aardvarks than to seemingly similar cetaceans (whales and dolphins). Similarities to elephants include their prehensile upper lip (reminiscent of a short trunk) and nails on their flippers (similar to those on the elephant's hoofs). In addition to the skull, we also have available a Forelimb Set, KO-146. See below for additional items.