Description
Basilosaurus sp.
Middle Eocene (Bartonian)
Samlat Formation, Gerran Member
Oueded-Da, Had-Iagouira, Dakhla, Morocco
49mm molar of a “shark toothed” whale
Archaeocete whales were an early stage in whale evolution. Their body was wildly elongated and their teeth had an almost shark-tooth-like shape. The head of Basilosaurus did not have room for a melon like modern toothed whales and the brain was smaller in comparison as well. They are not believed to have had the social capabilities of modern whales. They probably didn’t perform in prehistoric theme parks either.
