Steller's sea ape

Steller's sea ape is a purported marine mammal, observed by German zoologist Georg Steller on August 10, 1741, around the Shumagin Islands in Alaska. The animal was described as being approximately 1.5 m (5 feet) long, featuring a dog-like head, long drooping whiskers, an elongated yet robust body, a thick fur coat, no limbs, and tail fins resembling those of a shark. Steller noted that the creature exhibited playful and inquisitive behavior similar to a monkey. After observing it for two hours, he attempted to shoot and collect the specimen, but missed, and the creature swam away. Scientists have made four attempts to classify this mysterious creature, describing it as Simia marina, Siren cynocephala, Trichechus hydropithecus, and Manatus simia. However, the most plausible explanation is that Steller simply misidentified a northern fur seal.