Scientists have discovered a new 25-million-year-old prehistoric whale species, Janjucetus dullardi, which looked 'deceptively cute' with cartoonish features resembling a Pokémon, but was actually a feral predator. The species, part of the ancient mammalodontids group, was identified after six years of research following its discovery by amateur fossil hunter Ross Dullard. The find provides insight into the evolution of modern whales.
A 25-million-year-old fossil of a tiny, fierce prehistoric whale species named Janjucetus dullardi was discovered in Australia, providing new insights into early whale evolution and their adaptation to ancient oceans.
Scientists discovered a new species of prehistoric whale, Janjucetus dullardi, off Australia, revealing insights into early whale evolution and hunting adaptations, including sharp teeth and large eyes, based on fossils found in Victoria.
Paleontologists have discovered the 43-million-year-old fossil of a prehistoric whale in the Egyptian desert, which has been officially named Phiomicetus anubis, after the Egyptian god of the afterlife, Anubis. The Protocetid was 10 feet long and had a weight of around 1,300 pounds. Its head, which was shaped like a jackal's, would have lent to the creature's "raptorial feeding style." The discovery shows the evolution of the species "from herbivorous, deer-like, terrestrial mammals into carnivorous and fully aquatic cetaceans."
