Question
Here is the question : WHICH REAL ANIMAL WAS ONCE MISTAKEN AS A MERMAID?
Option
Here is the option for the question :
- Whales
- Dolphins
- Manatees
- Sunfishes
The Answer:
And, the answer for the the question is :
Explanation:
The legend of mermaids, in contrast to that of some other mythical creatures, has some basis in biological truth. Despite their apparent differences, manatees have the ability to turn their heads and have finger-like bones in their forelimbs. Columbus made a note about’mermaids’ after seeing manatees in the New World in 1493.
For centuries, sailors and explorers have reported sightings of mermaids – beautiful half-human, half-fish creatures that live in the sea. However, it is now widely believed that these sightings were the result of a case of mistaken identity. The real animal that was once mistaken for a mermaid is the manatee.
Manatees are large, slow-moving aquatic mammals that are found in warm waters around the world. They have a thick, wrinkled skin and paddle-like flippers that they use to swim. Manatees can grow up to 13 feet long and weigh as much as 1,300 pounds, making them one of the largest mammals that live in the ocean.
The first recorded instance of a manatee being mistaken for a mermaid dates back to the 16th century, when Spanish explorer Juan Ponce de León encountered the creatures off the coast of Florida. He reported seeing “mermaids” that were “not as pretty as they are depicted, for somehow in the face they look like men.” It is believed that Ponce de León was actually seeing manatees, which can have a human-like appearance from a distance.
Other sailors and explorers throughout history have reported similar sightings, leading to the widespread belief in mermaids. However, as people began to study and understand these creatures more fully, it became clear that they were not half-human, half-fish beings, but rather mammals that were well adapted to life in the water.
manatees are protected by law in many countries, as they are considered a threatened species. While they are no longer mistaken for mermaids, they remain a beloved and fascinating animal that holds a special place in the hearts of many people around the world.