Q. Consider the following animals:
- Sea cow
- Sea horse
- Sea lion
Which of the above is/are mammal/mammals? (UPSC Prelims 2013)
Answer:
1 and 3 only
Notes: The correct answer is [B] 1 and 3 only. To solve this, it helps to distinguish between marine mammals (which breathe air and nurse their young) and marine fish. Here is the breakdown of the three animals:
- Sea Cow (Dugong / Manatee) — Mammal
- Sea cows, which include Dugongs and Manatees, are large herbivorous marine mammals. They belong to the order Sirenia.
- Characteristics: They are warm-blooded, breathe air through lungs, and give birth to live young whom they nurse with milk.
- In India: The Dugong is found in the Gulf of Mannar, Palk Bay, Gulf of Kutch, and the Andaman and Nicobar Islands. It is the "State Animal" of the Andaman and Nicobar Islands.
- Sea Horse — Fish
- Despite the name, a sea horse is actually a type of bony fish (Teleost).
- Characteristics: They breathe through gills, have a swim bladder, and lack limbs. They are unique because the males have a brood pouch to carry eggs, but they are cold-blooded ectotherms and do not nurse their young.
- Sea Lion — Mammal
- Sea lions are pinnipeds, a group of semi-aquatic marine mammals that also includes seals and walruses.
- Characteristics: They have external ear flaps, long fore-flippers, and the ability to walk on all fours on land. Like all mammals, they are warm-blooded and produce milk for their pups.