Fossils that indicate the evolution of whales from land dwelling creatures:
- Ancient Artiodactyl.
- Pakicetus
- Ambulocetus: The limb structure of Ambulocetus (“walking whale”) suggests that these animals could both swim in shallow water and walk on land.
- Rhodocetus: The hind limbs of Rodhocetus were short and probably not able to bear much weight. Paleontologists think that these animals spent most of their time in the water.
- Basilosaurus: Basilosaurus had a streamlined body and reduced hind limbs. These skeletal features suggest that Basilosaurus spent its entire life swimming in the ocean.
- Dorudon
- Mysticetes
- Odontocetes: Modern whales retain reduced pelvic bones and, in some cases, upper and lower limb bones. However, these structures no longer play a role in locomotion.
An illustration depicting the evolution of whales from ancestors that walked on land.