# sea cow #

## Definition: ##

The term "sea cow" refers to a large sea animal that eats sea grass and other vegetation on the ocean floor. 

* A sea cow is grey with thick skin. It moves in the water using its flippers.
* The skins or hides of the sea cow were used by people in Bible times for making tents. These animal hides were used in the coverings for the tabernacle.
* It was nicknamed the "sea cow" because it eats grass like a cow does, but they are not similar in other ways.
* Related animals are the "dugong" and the "manatee."

(See also: [How to Translate Unknowns](en/ta-vol1/translate/man/translate-unknown))

(See also: [tabernacle](../kt/tabernacle.md))

## Bible References: ##

* [Numbers 04:5-6](en/tn/num/help/04/05)
* [Numbers 04:12-14](en/tn/num/help/04/12)
* [Numbers 04:24-26](en/tn/num/help/04/24)

The person who received the scroll would see the unbroken seal and know that no one had opened it.