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294 / Cenozoic
Pakicetus
Pakicetus attocki
Its body still walked on land, while a distinctive ear region identified it as an early whale.
- Time range
- About 50 million years ago
- Final stage
- Early Eocene
- Geographic range
- Rivers and floodplains · Pakistan
01 / DEFINITION & ECOLOGY
What was Pakicetus?
Pakicetus (Pakicetus attocki) was an extinct organism known from About 50 million years ago, with a range in Rivers and floodplains · Pakistan.
Life and ecology
Pakicetus lived along rivers and entered shallow water to feed, representing a terrestrial stage near the start of whale evolution.
02 / DISAPPEARANCE
Why did Pakicetus disappear?
Later amphibious whales replaced this early ecological grade as aquatic adaptations intensified.
03 / EVIDENCE
How do scientists know about Pakicetus?
Skulls, ear bones and limb skeletons combine whale hearing anatomy with weight-bearing legs.
04 / SOURCES & FURTHER READING
Check the source record
Use the scientific name to compare taxonomy, occurrence records and the fossil record. Database coverage and classifications may differ.
05 / REVISION HISTORY
How has this record changed?
- Verified authoritative entity sources and added three responsive reconstruction sizes.
- Initial bilingual species record published.
06 / CORRECTIONS & ADDITIONS