The fascinating world under the ocean holds several spellbound mermaid tales. These fairytales often breathtakingly beautiful could also be deceitful. "The Little Mermaid" as described by Danish author Hans Christian Andersen remains the most riveting sea creatures of all times in human imagination.
However, the creature, in reality, may not be as beautiful as depicted in the fantasy world.
The Dugong, often called “Lady of the sea” by many is believed to be the "mother" of all mermaid stories, interestingly this sea mammal is not even close to its imaginary outlook.
The rare creature was captured recently by a Russian photographer Andrey Nekrasov. The herbivorous Sea Cow in the pictures resembles much like a vacuum cleaner, sucking in seaweed.
The Dugongs are the only living representatives of the once-diverse family Dugongidae. Their closest relative outside the dugongs are the Elephants.