27 August 2025
This dog-like mammal who lived 50 million years ago in the Early Eocene is actually the ancestor of whales. Though Pakicetus inachus was the size of a large dog, his genus name means “whale found in Pakistan.”
Instead of eating meat, Pakicetus hung out in water and ate fish. His closest living relative is the hippopotamus.
In 50 million years Pakicetus‘ descendants became more water-oriented and then spent their whole lives in water. Consequently their bodies evolved fish-like features and they became recognizable whales.
Find out how paleontologists could tell this “dog” is related to whales in this vintage article:
p.s. Sometimes Pakicetus inachus is drawn with shaggy fur and spots.
