The Evolution of Whales

  • 11

    Orcinus orca (11 million years ago)

    Orcinus orca (11 million years ago)
    The modern day whale.
  • 34

    Llanocetus (34 million years ago)

    Llanocetus (34 million years ago)
    Teeth were reduced and elbows became immobile. First evidence of baleen for fish feeding was found.
  • 40

    Basilosaurus (40-34 million years ago)

    Basilosaurus (40-34 million years ago)
    Very long and snakelike, tail ends with a small fluke.
  • 41

    Dorudon (41-33 million years ago)

    Dorudon (41-33 million years ago)
    Completely aquatic - forelimbs became flippers, trunk was elongated, hind limbs shrunk in size, tail flukes evolved, and nostrils moved farther back of the skull.
  • 47

    Maiacetus (47 million years ago)

    Maiacetus (47 million years ago)
    Sea-lion like but spent some time on land. Forelimbs were for walking and swimming while hind limbs were big in size.
  • 49

    Ambulocetus (49 million years ago)

    Ambulocetus (49 million years ago)
    Had a more aquatic lifestyle; tail was longer and more muscular, shorter legs, enlarged paddle-like feet and hands. It was alligator-like and fed in the both salt and freshwater.
  • 50

    Pakicetus (50 million years ago)

    Pakicetus (50 million years ago)
    Quite small land animals with long skulls, big carnivorous teeth, nostrils far in front, limbs for walking, and no tail flukes.