Christopher Columbus (1451-1506) set out from Spain across the Atlantic Ocean with Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria, hoping to find a western trade route to Asia. Instead, his voyage, the first of four he would undertake, took him to America, or the 'New World' at that time.
Of course, there are many interesting experiences while the legendary adventurer is exploring. For one thing, when he was sailing near what is now the Dominican Republic, Christopher Columbus claimed to have seen something. Christopher Columbus believed that the creatures he saw were three mermaids.
On January 9, 1493, the explorer claimed to have seen three 'mermaids' who turned out to be manatees aka sea oxen. He described it as "not half as beautiful as described".
Mermaids, mythical creatures half woman half fish, have long existed in seafaring culture, at least since ancient Greece. Usually the creature is described as having the head and body of a woman, while the legs are in the form of fish tails. Dugongs are also said to have a habit of holding mirrors and combs.
According to some legends, it can take on human form and marry men. Mermaids are closely related to sirens, other folklore figures, part women, part birds, who live on the islands and sing seductive songs to lure sailors to death. Thus launched History.
Regarding the sea ox that Christopher Columbus saw, he was a herbivorous (plant-eating) marine mammal. This animal is still related to the elephant, usually found on the coast of Florida.
Most of the manatee's life is used for feeding. They can eat up to 10% of their body weight in half a day.