A Case Study: How Modern Whales Came to Be

Whales have evolved from a giant hoofed wolf (like Andrewsarchus mongoliensis) which dominated the landscape. This large predator lived on the shorelines of the ancient Tethys Sea and likely hunted sea turtles with its massive jaws. As this organism spent more and more time in the water in search of prey, it slowly adapted to fit its new niche. Its legs slowly withdrew to prevent drag in the water, its nose shifted further and further up to remain undetectable to land dwelling prey, and it eventually developed a streamlined body to allow it to live full time in its new aquatic habitat. Read more about the evolution of the whale in the attachments below.