- Evolution of whales and dolphinsThe evolution of whales and dolphins (cetaceans) is as follows:
- Cetaceans originated about 50 million years ago in the Eocene epoch from terrestrial artiodactyls, similar to small deer1.
- Both hippos and whales evolved from four-legged, even-toed, hoofed ancestors that lived on land2.
- Whale ancestors moved to the sea and evolved into swimming creatures over a period of about 8 million years2.
- The evolution of cetaceans is thought to have begun in the Indian subcontinent from even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla) 50 million years ago3.
Learn more:✕This summary was generated using AI based on multiple online sources. To view the original source information, use the "Learn more" links.Evolution of whales and dolphinsCetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are an order of mammals that originated about 50 million years ago in the Eocene epoch. Even though all modern cetaceans are obligate aquatic mammals, early cetaceans were amphibious, and their ancestors were terrestrial artiodactyls, similar to small deer.evolution-outreach.biomedcentral.com/articles/10.…Evolution of whales and dolphinsBoth hippos and whales evolved from four-legged, even-toed, hoofed (ungulate) ancestors that lived on land about 50 million years ago. Modern-day ungulates include hippopotamus, giraffe, deer, pig and cow. Unlike the hippo’s ancestor, whale ancestors moved to the sea and evolved into swimming creatures over a period of about 8 million years.us.whales.org/whales-dolphins/how-did-whales-evo…Evolution of whales and dolphinsThe evolution of cetaceans is thought to have begun in the Indian subcontinent from even-toed ungulates (Artiodactyla) 50 million years ago (mya) and to have proceeded over a period of at least 15 million years.en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Evolution_of_cetaceans - People also ask
The evolution of whales
From Land to Water: the Origin of Whales, Dolphins, …
WEBApr 16, 2009 · Cetaceans (whales, dolphins, and porpoises) are an order of mammals that originated about 50 million years ago in the Eocene epoch. …
- Author: J. G. M. Thewissen, Lisa Noelle Cooper, Lisa Noelle Cooper, John C. George, Sunil Bajpai
- Estimated Reading Time: 8 mins
- Publish Year: 2009
How Did Whales Evolve? | Smithsonian
Evolution of Whales – A Complete Guide to Whales, …
WEBThese pig-sized, four-legged, warm-blooded, placental creatures adapted quickly to their new habitat and soon gave rise to a new branch in the evolutionary tree — the order Cetacea, which today includes all of the …
Evolution of cetaceans - Wikipedia
Cetacean | Life Span, Evolution, & Characteristics
WEBCetacean, any member of an entirely aquatic group of mammals commonly known as whales, dolphins, and porpoises. Cetaceans are entirely carnivorous. Their ancestors moved their limbs in a vertical plane, and …
How did whales evolve? - Whale and Dolphin …
WEBUnlike the hippo’s ancestor, whale ancestors moved to the sea and evolved into swimming creatures over a period of about 8 million years. Fossils of gigantic ancient whales called Basilosaurus were first mistaken for …
The evolution of whales from land to sea - Ars Technica
WEBNov 26, 2022 · Scientists have examined myoglobin genes in diving animals from tiny water shrews all the way up to giant whales, and discovered a pattern: In many divers, the surface of the protein has a more...
Ocean Giants | Going Aquatic: Cetacean Evolution
WEBMar 21, 2012 · How did these terrestrial ancestors morph over millions of years into the whales and dolphins we are so familiar with today? Dr. Mark Uhen answers questions about marine mammal evolution.
What Whales and Dolphins Left Behind for Life in the …
WEBSep 26, 2019 · The ancestors of dolphins and whales survived in the seas by shedding genes involved in sleep, DNA repair and other seemingly critical activities.
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