lostbeasts: Basilosaurus.This was the largest prehistoric whale discovered so far, being around 60 f
lostbeasts: Basilosaurus.This was the largest prehistoric whale discovered so far, being around 60 feet long. It lived during the Eocene. It possessed small, vestigial hind flippers, showing a clear link to its terrestrial ancestry. It body was also extremely elongated, something that is now seen in modern cetaceans. The nature of its skeleton and weak musculature meant that it was probably incapable of sustained diving, and so would have remained near the ocean’s surface, feeding on the prey there. Because of the structure of its head, without a particularly large brain and melon like modern whales, it’s suggested that Basilosaurus wasn’t capable of the complex social capabilities of cetaceans living today. (restoration source) -- source link
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