27 August 2025
This dog-like mammal who lived 50 million years in the past within the Early Eocene is definitely the ancestor of whales. Although Pakicetus inachus was the scale of a big canine, his genus title means “whale present in Pakistan.”
As an alternative of consuming meat, Pakicetus frolicked in water and ate fish. His closest residing relative is the hippopotamus.
In 50 million years Pakicetus‘ descendants grew to become extra water-oriented after which spent their entire lives in water. Consequently their our bodies developed fish-like options and so they grew to become recognizable whales.
Learn the way paleontologists might inform this “canine” is expounded to whales on this classic article:
p.s. Generally Pakicetus inachus is drawn with shaggy fur and spots.
