In this illustration, a Janjucetus dullardi is depicted chasing a fish. (via AP)Provided by Ruairidh Duncan , via AP WELLINGTON, New Zealand — Long before whales were majestic, gentle giants, some of their prehistoric ancestors were tiny, weird and feral. A chance discovery of a 25 million-year-old fossil on an Australian beach has allowed paleontologists to identify a rare, entirely …
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Scientists have identified a new species of ancient whale with cartoonish bulging eyes that they say would have made it look like a Pokémon. A precursor to today’s modern whale species, the 25 million-year-old creature was “deceptively cute,” according to Erich Fitzgerald, senior curator of vertebrate paleontology at Australia’s Museums Victoria Research Institute, as reported by the Toronto Sun. “It …
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The newly described Janjucetus dullardi is known from juvenile remains. This illustration depicts a J. dullardi calf with its mother. (Image credit: Artwork by Ruairidh Duncan. Source: Museums Victoria) Scientists have discovered a “deceptively cute” ancient whale with large eyes and razor-sharp teeth that devoured prey off Australia around 26 million years ago. The newly discovered Janjucetus dullardi is one …
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Australian scientists have discovered a razor-toothed whale that prowled the seas 26 million years ago, saying Wednesday the species was “deceptively cute” but a fearsome predator. Museums Victoria pieced together the species from an unusually well-preserved skull fossil found on Victoria’s Surf Coast in 2019. In a study published Tuesday, scientists say they discovered a “fast, sharp-toothed predator” that would …
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“Small and deceptively cute, but definitely not harmless” is how scientists have described a new species of ancient whale, from a 25-million-year-old fossil found on Victoria’s surf coast. This early species, called Janjucetus dullardi, was an extremely unusual animal, said Dr Erich Fitzgerald, senior curator of vertebrate palaeontology at Museums Victoria Research Institute. It was tiny – about the size …
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