Sometimes, nature seems to reuse its best ideas.
A cow has a marine counterpart called a sea cow. Horses have seahorses, lions have sea lions, and even familiar pets such as dogs and cats have surprisingly similar animals in the ocean. The similarities aren’t always scientific or closely related, but their names, shapes, behavior or overall appearance can make the comparisons hard to ignore.
Here are some land animals that feel like their ocean counterparts in disguise.
Cow → Manatee
Manatees are commonly known as sea cows, and the comparison is easy to understand. Both animals have large, rounded bodies and a generally calm appearance. Manatees spend their lives in the water, while cows are firmly land animals, but the nickname makes them seem like distant aquatic cousins.
Horse → Seahorse
A seahorse doesn’t exactly look like a miniature horse, but its head and elongated shape make the name surprisingly fitting. These tiny marine animals have a distinctive upright posture that sets them apart from most other fish.
Lion → Sea lion
A lion rules the land, while a sea lion is perfectly at home in the water. The two aren’t closely related, but their shared name reflects their similarly commanding presence. Sea lions are also highly social and can be impressively loud.
Dog → Seal
Spend a few minutes watching a seal and it is easy to see why people compare them with dogs. Their round faces, curious expressions and playful behavior can give them an almost puppy-like appearance.
Cat → Sea otter
Cats and sea otters occupy completely different environments, but both have a reputation for being curious and entertaining. Sea otters are small compared with many other marine mammals and are known for their playful behavior and clever use of objects.
Elephant → Elephant seal
The elephant seal gets its name from one obvious feature: its enormous nose. Male elephant seals develop a large, inflatable snout that gives them an unmistakable resemblance to elephants.
Butterfly → Sea butterfly
The name sounds almost too perfect. Sea butterflies are tiny marine creatures that use wing-like structures to move through the water, creating a resemblance to butterflies even though they belong to a completely different group of animals.
Featured Image: Photo by Gary Walker-Jones on Unsplash
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