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Feb 13, 1000
Pakicetus (50 million years ago)
Land-dwelling whale. It ate plants and small animals. It was forced to begin life in the water because its climate grew too hot, and it couldn't find food on land. eventually went extinct. -
Ambulocetus (about 48 million years ago)
Ambulocetus had to adapt to salt water since land was no longer any use. It had to stay near lakes and streams since it only drank fresh water. He had a big body with small legs, which made him easy prey. -
Rodhocetus (46 million years ago)
Rodhocetus evolved a shorter and more powerful neck, shorter legs and fins, and new tail muscles. These adaptions were used to help it in its movement into the water. It was also the first of the whales to live permentantly in the water. -
Basilosaurus (about 30 million years ago million years ago)
Basilosaurus means "king lizard". It was nearly fifty feet long, and about 6300 kilograms. It had awesome hearing and eyesight, which made it the top predator of the ocean in that time period. It was built for more shallow waters, so it died off when water levels increased. -
Dorudon ( 33 million years ago)
Dorudon had a strong tail fluke which helped them swim fast. It was about five meters long. Dorudon swam in pods to avoid being preyed on by other predators. They, because of new adaptions, survived while basilosaurus did not. -
Modern day whale (now)
Modern day whales have evolved to perform many neccessary tasks. These include breath holding, new eating mechanisms, and even longer living. Many modern whales now eat plankton with an elaborate system. Whales have also evolved to use sonar to see deep underwater.
