The Mammal Show
Mammals from the Sea
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Dolphins
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Whales
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Walruses
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Seals
There are many mammals on this earth and what our mammal show is
focusing on
are the ones that are found in the ocean. Whales, walruses, seals,
manatees, and
dolphins are just a few examples. Many of these creatures faced
extinction at some
point in their history, especially the baleen
whales.
This was because of the natural polymers
that they contain.
The most common natural polymer that is found in mammals is
protein.
Protein looks like this:
Protein is natural polymer has been used
in things such as skirt hoops, carriage springs, umbrella ribs, fishing
rods, and the laces in corsets. Keratin can be found two forms, hard and
soft. Soft keratin is found in whalebone. Hard keratin is the same
substance that is found in human nails and hair, and animal claws, horns
and hoofs.
The next most common natural polymer found in aquatic mammals is
leather
Oils were another item obtained from mammals. These oils,
are quite popular because of their high quality.
They are found in creatures such as walruses, turtles and sharks, and were used as fuel for lamps and heating,
and paints and
cosmetics.
Return to the Polyquarium
Copyright © 1999, 2000
|
Department of
Polymer Science
|
University of Southern
Mississippi