#simocetus

[katborg82]

Simocetus (pug-nosed whale) is the oldest named member of the family Odontoceti, the toothed whales. Though older unnamed members existed.

Odontoceti are a very diverse group of whales that evolved alongside the baleen whales we previously discussed. Many toothed whales are known for their predatory lifestyle, echolocation abilities, and high intelligence.

Simocetus lived during the Oligocene epoch approximately 32 million years ago. Not much is known about this particular genus as it's only known from a single fossil skull, but some features of the skull suggest that it may have developed echolocation abilities comparable to its modern relatives.

#simocetus #paleoart #paleontology #evolution #whale #whales #whale evolution #toothed whale #cetacean #cetaceans #oligocene #paleogene