Pakicetus inachus is a species of prehistoric cetacean that lived approximately 50 million years ago, during the early Eocene period. This ancient marine mammal is considered one of the first ancestors of modern cetaceans, which includes whales and dolphins.
Pakicetus inachus was an animal of moderate size, with an elongated body and both terrestrial and aquatic adaptations. Although it was not completely aquatic like current whales, it had already developed characteristics that related it to life in water. Its hind legs were longer than its front legs, suggesting that it could move on land, but probably also swam effectively.
A distinctive feature of Pakicetus inachus is its head, which had a long, narrow skull with sharp teeth adapted for hunting fish and other aquatic animals. Its nostrils were at the top of its skull, indicating that it spent time in the water, but it could still breathe above the surface.
This ancient cetacean has become an important transitional fossil in understanding the evolution of marine mammals. As they evolved and adapted to aquatic life, the descendants of Pakicetus eventually developed the features that characterize modern whales and dolphins.
Approximate measurements of Pakicetus:
Pakicetus inachus was an animal of moderate size, with an elongated body and both terrestrial and aquatic adaptations. Although it was not completely aquatic like current whales, it had already developed characteristics that related it to life in water. Its hind legs were longer than its front legs, suggesting that it could move on land, but probably also swam effectively.
A distinctive feature of Pakicetus inachus is its head, which had a long, narrow skull with sharp teeth adapted for hunting fish and other aquatic animals. Its nostrils were at the top of its skull, indicating that it spent time in the water, but it could still breathe above the surface.
This ancient cetacean has become an important transitional fossil in understanding the evolution of marine mammals. As they evolved and adapted to aquatic life, the descendants of Pakicetus eventually developed the features that characterize modern whales and dolphins.
Approximate measurements of Pakicetus:
- Scale 1:35 - 60 mm Complete
- Scale 1:20 - 105 mm Complete
