When Whales Walked

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We know whales as graceful giants bound to the sea. But what if we told you there was actually a time when whales could walk.
Thanks to Lucas Lima and Studio 252mya for their illustrations. You can find more of Lucas' work here: 252mya.com/gallery/lucas-lima
Produced for PBS Digital Studios.
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References:
web.neomed.edu/web/anatomy/The...
www.researchgate.net/publicat...
link.springer.com/article/10....
www.amnh.org/explore/news-blog...
www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/s...
evolution.berkeley.edu/evolibr...
stories.anmm.gov.au/whale-evol...
www.smithsonianmag.com/smithso...
repository.ias.ac.in/4642/1/31...
link.springer.com/chapter/10....
www.britannica.com/science/Eo...
ngm.nationalgeographic.com/201...
www.pbs.org/wnet/nature/ocean-...
www.theatlantic.com/science/a...
• Nature: Whale Evolutio...
www.pnas.org/content/96/18/102...
www.sciencedaily.com/releases...
www.nature.com/news/2007/0712...
books.google.com/books?id=udC...
www.blc.arizona.edu/courses/sc...
phys.org/news/2005-01-scienti...
www.pnas.org/content/96/18/102...
link.springer.com/article/10....
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[@Aester]

Mammals: imma evolve traits optimum for a terrestrial habitat Whales: *Uno reverse card*

[@tarapayne385]

Hahaha this is the best love it

[@HappinessOrDeath]

SeaLions: *Reverse back to you*

[@imhereforfun3699]

Ha I made the comment to 1k

[@RMSLusitania]

Seals: haha im gonna check what whales is up to

[@pavel9652]

Indeed, a great sense of humour! ;] I don't know this game but sound like tabletop card game ;]

[@spinoboy1047]

Sharks: we’ve been here for millions of years, before the dinosaurs and the Permian, this makes us the kings of the ocean. Some deer thing: hold my beer

[@yeshuamartinez547]

Orca has entered the chat.

[@watermelonconsumer4435]

Cephalopods has enter the chat

[@kingcheese9803]

*Dolphins have entered the chat.* “Huh.” *sees whales orca and shark* *Dolphins have left the chat.*

[@darth856]

Poor things. Not long after they no longer had to share the oceans with marine reptiles, new competition would emerge

[@valen123456]

It seems a recurring trait throughout marine history. To quote from the Science of Discworld "Sharks have eaten mesosaurs, have been annoyed by pleisosaurs and ichthyosaurs and cautious about pliosaurs, have eaten little mosasaurs and been eaten by big ones." "Then the mammels produced dolphins, killer whales, big whales ... and the sharks just went on being sharks". It seems that after evolving to survive on land to cope with gravity, more intense competition, and a less stable environment, any animal group that goes back to the sea tends to win out. Meanwhile all the older groups (sharks, bony fish, cephelopods etc) that remained in the sea stay 'comparitively' stable and just take any opportunities that come their way.

[@rollomaughfling380]

"Some are gentle filter feeders . . ." Krill (raising hands): "Umm . . ."

[@helldronez]

collosus squid fear intensify

[@treyday6387]

Krill: SWIM AWAY!

[@Zimisce85]

well, they are gently devoured.

[@boxinabox6608]

@@Zimisce85 keep your weird fetishes away from me

[@Miranda-vw6vz]

@@treyday6387”Hey look! Krill!”

[@megaclodsire]

"gentle filter feeders" 10 billion krill beg to differ

[@pearspeedruns]

I like your profile pic

[@pompe221]

There's something about the phrase "tiny, cat-sized deer things" that I love.

[@Sofia-nc1tu]

ikr! it just sounds so cute

[@epicfromepicgames8222]

XDDDD

[@epicfromepicgames8222]

@Bunker Sieben Yes

[@epicfromepicgames8222]

@Bunker Sieben Yes

[@dawsonjacks6924]

You would love the Duiker

[@af146983]

I did not realize whales evolved that fast, 25 million years, especially considering their long reproductive cycles and life span.

[@sonpopco-op9682]

25 million seems long to you? Human evolved in about 3 million years with long reproductive cycles and life span. Which is more amazing?

[@af146983]

Son&PopCo-OP but humans didn't go from being squirrels to humans in 3 million years which is pretty much what whales did in 25. And the human gestation period Is a fraction of that of whales. I'm sorry to be nitpicky but also outside of modern medicine the human lifespan is about the same as a parrot. I still think it was fast.

[@sonpopco-op9682]

Okay Aj Franklin, lets nit-pik. Humans went from being "squirrels" ( as you put it ) to what we are today in about the same time period as the Whales. In both cases the precursor forms had completely different lifespans & gestation periods than the final form, Your argument is invalid.

[@sonpopco-op9682]

or... ( a more likely Scenario ) EAT IT

[@TS1336]

Cetaceans are currently in decline, the number of genera has reduced significantly

[@DieNextInLINE]

I started off with "The Time Terror Birds Invaded" and now I'm stuck in a PBS Eons spiral. This channel is amazing, and the hosts are all great.

[@dbsgames7802]

OMG SAME

[@flwrflorr]

ikr

[@kyrab7914]

Has it stopped yet? (Just kidding, pls keep making learning entertaining PBS and Green Brothers).

[@nanochad2979]

i started with the chalicothere from a shoutout from tier zoo

[@Potetly]

I know the professor who discovered the Walking Whale! “Nate” as we call ambulocetus natans, is our school’s mascot! Hans is also a hilarious person.

[@mintayza7784]

That is soooo cool

[@Mark-Wilson]

bro hes so cool wish I could meet people like him

[@MrStensnask]

As a zoologist/ecologist I'm so grateful that there are dedicated people like you guys putting out educational videos like this one. Keep spreading the knowledge.

[@eons]

Thanks we will! And help us spread the word about our channel!

[@MrStensnask]

Already doing it!

[@DiaNne31]

Matt Thompson why the “lol”?

[@meusana3681]

It would be highly unlikely for warm blooded animals to have evolved in the ocean. However, when a mammal transitions into the ocean, it suddenly has an advantage over all fish in that it can regulate its body temperature.

[@somedude140]

Well, there are actually some fish that have warm blood like mackerel sharks, but your point still stands as the specifics of how their warm blood evolved are more similar to those of mammals than those of any of the fish.

[@HidingInMyRoom1989]

Christian Schiller so heart warming to see you two having a civil conversation without insults.

[@youtubeaccount6625]

You're ruining the video with your present

[@meusana3681]

@@somedude140 That's a very good point indeed. As soon as you mentioned warm blooded fish, sharks came to mind. I never gave it a second thought before though, but thanks for sparking my interest.

[@meusana3681]

@@youtubeaccount6625 what??

[@rateeightx]

4:32 Speaking Of Dugongs, Rest In Peace Steller's Sea Cow, You Shall Not Be Forgotten.

[@oswaldcannon9483]

😔

[@aebhosor4835]

Rest in Peace, my friend

[@TheLunaLockhart]

I absolutely love when a presenter has a "this thing is really adorable and I want you to see it" voice when talking about little creatures etc lol. We just can't help it

[@ishitagupta6781]

This is hands down, one of the best series on KZbin and I'm so glad it exists.

[@yoyomodiji]

Tum yahan kya kar rahi ho

[@joewesterland5697]

If you like stuff you this you should try some trey the explainer.

[@tropicalgames4923]

This is the best I’ve learned so much from it since I was a kid I love it so much thank you so much I have no other words XD

[@kingrhino11]

So true

[@latvianorthodox3436]

Totally true, so glad i clicked.

[@KarlBunker]

Cetacean needed.

[@vampyricon7026]

+

[@westerndigs6025]

I see what you did there.

[@fraserhenderson7839]

For what porpoise do you need this cetacean?

[@ShawnNac]

Haaa

[@MananagKiVato]

whale, you guys need to shut the dorudon't know what you're getting into with that large pakicetus your request for cetacean will not be taken. I'm sorry. DX

[@adlibby6448]

“... just dipping their toes in the water for the first time.” is such a cute sentiment. Made me smile.

[@Twinklethefox9022]

A cute sentence for a terrifying creature.

[@MonicaRamirez-pf6xr]

Watching this with my 3 year old son. love the videos, we always learn so much.

[@erosjohndelossantos8481]

3:48 the face you make when you're getting roasted and you're sarcastically laughing with it

[@Outtathedepths]

😭😭😭

[@patrickroelant5171]

if someone told me about a walking whale i'd think of a hippo

[@Alex-kp5pq]

Whippomorpha is a clade. Hippos are closer to whales than they are to most other artiodactyls, so you would be correct!

[@PhelanVelvel]

"Whippomorpha is a mixture of English (wh[ale] + hippo[potamus]) and Greek (μορφή, morphe = form). Attempts have been made to rename the clade Cetancodonta[3] but Whippomorpha maintains precedence.[4]" Lol. I actually had to look it up because I thought Whippomorpha sounded like such an unconventional taxonomic name.

[@Hannah-ds2bl]

i'd think of my science teacher Lmfao

[@CONGTHEGUERILLA]

@@Alex-kp5pq hippos are actually the closest living relatives of cetaceans!

[@widodoakrom7032]

Yes that's true

[@Jonas-ej7id]

My favourite PBS video Whales are so mystical. The background music is so relaxing Gives me chills

[@maxis2k]

Whales: "Gentle filter feeders." Plankton: "AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!!!!"

[@CafeRamocha]

the evolution of whales has always been one of my favorite evolutionary happenings, and just learning about it again in video form reminds me of just how cool it is!!!!

[@cosmicderringer1824]

Piftin same here

[@thecrippledpancake9455]

My favorite was the canal one.

[@Twinklethefox9022]

I still find it strange how some paleontologist can't agree if this creature existed or not.

[@lord__xan4739]

Imagine being a doggo and being like “ima be a big blue baby one day”😂😂😂

[@KlavierMenn]

that's what Sea Lions are. They ARE in the side of dogs in the order Carnivora

[@ophiolatreia93]

Unfunny

[@weezer7757]

@@ophiolatreia93 no one asked?

[@jpthepug3126]

@@ophiolatreia93 it was to them

[@sorayah9702]

@@ophiolatreia93 you must be fun at parties

[@connormitochondria355]

The evolution of whales is one of my favorite parts of evolution. I remember the first time a saw a Dorudon fossil. I remember thinking that the small hind legs and the nostrils equidistant between the eyes and tip of the snout was so fascinating, and how it was related to today's toothed whales was even more fascinating!

[@elbuhdai605]

The evidence for evolution is both fascinating and overwhelming, but so many people willingly remain ignorant and delusional.

[@samitsme8910]

El Buhdai the evidence for no revolution is both fascinating and overwhelming, but so many people willingly remain ignorant and delusional.

[@TheBarser]

@@samitsme8910 You are joking.. right?

[@nickv.3573]

@@samitsme8910 theres no evidence for evolution not existing.

[@nickv.3573]

@Tyson MMA I meant "not"

[@ElijahMendiola]

dude , if you showed this to a kid , theyd tell you to fly a kite. a stupid little bone and they come up with this ? talk about grasping at straws

[@soulpanda5616]

So I find it interesting that the cute little, cat-deer thing already had the underwater hearing development. It leads me to wonder if the cetacean line started because some Artiodactyla started hiding in water and it just super worked for them so they developed better hearing in the water. Any thoughts on that line?

[@rachellowrie2320]

Soulpanda , look into mouse deer. They are little guys have stayed relatively unchanged for millions of years and some use water to escape predation. They even have good hearing underwater. Let's say they had a similar idea to protowhales but didn't feel the need to run with it.

[@soulpanda5616]

Looking them up now. First Impressions: So Cute, Second Impressions: Further research, on a personal level, is needed for animals living in swamp, lake, or river conditions where there is a lack of predation. Man I wish I could study biology professionally. This stuff is so cool.

[@vanillajack5925]

From what I've read, those specialized ears also helped with balance and maneuverability in the water.

[@jennifersaar1611]

Also makes me wonder if it was just a random mutation, or whether they started as burrowers, and it was an adaptation that helped them hear underground.

[@markmozer3340]

Jennifer Saar my guess is their habitat got flooded with water and had to addopt

[@camgood2437]

This is so funny, I was just watching videos of Capybaras swimming underwater for like ten minutes, and they look just like the image of the ancient whale swimming (especially the feet) lol. This video wasn't even linked to those videos at all, so it's just a total coincidence lol.

[@tirpitz19]

Lose the "lol",makes you look nonintelligent.

[@jesseacummins]

no coincidences in nature

[@tirpitz19]

Aimi , Yes maa'm ,sorry.

[@jaschabull2365]

Capybaras are actually more closely related to us humans than they are to whales. Though whales are more closely related to capybaras (and humans) than they are to crocodiles, which are more closely related to woodpeckers than they are to the previously-mentioned creatures. Because the tree of life is very strange.

[@jaschabull2365]

+Platonic Knuckler Fuckler If some new brainchild of yours develops, I guess I'll have a cheque or a few to send you.

[@carmelized11candi]

Her voice and the background music could possibly cure my anxiety. Cool vid!

[@TheLineCutter]

This blew my mind. Imagine the gradual transition. And seeing the end result... the power of evolution man.

[@brookeconsole5719]

Whale, whale, whale, who do we have here?...

[@dauntydudut2938]

The Past Happened a Long Time Ago i love ur card art in deviantart

[@KimiHayashi]

The Past Happened a Long Time Ago long long long long ago

[@sneal8526]

Sandy Clawz, hm? ooooh, i'm really scared!

[@brookeconsole5719]

Oh! Thanks very much!!

[@walterwalter3035]

69th liker

[@rafaelalodio5116]

Make a video about the other human species that coexisted with Homo sapiens thousands of years ago.

[@decidudew2347]

Neanderthals

[@sharkoj]

#NoHomo

[@stefantherainbowphoenix]

Rokko J #YesHomo

[@mischa2643]

#allthehomo

[@herdlika]

I don't think we coexisted with them since we wold have shared the same niche and out-claas them. They probably just found refuge as far as possible from us. Although some people speculate we have traces of dna within our genome that goes further than just Neanderthals, so maybe we did. who knows

[@arjunafuerza1305]

I would love more like these videos if they improve them by adding subtitles . Deaf people really need to know about these sharing . Thank you EONS team . Love ya

[@Tht1Gy]

100% agree. And the "cc" button does not cut it! Understand, I hear fine, but I like to run subs for the occasional missed word. However, the cc option often gives either a word that makes NO sense in context, OR it will bungle a contraction to the point where the opposite meaning is on the screen. It's largely useless.

[@matttube9369]

Now there are subtitles ！！！

[@monimonimoni3082]

0:25 “The Tale of Whale” I see what you did there lmaooo

[@okaro6595]

"Gentle filter feeders" Tell that to krill.

[@squirtleusedflamethrower1419]

here's a fact dolphins and whales still have leg bones

[@williamjordan5554]

Hip bones

[@ktsp2538]

Their pelvic bones

[@SFforlife]

And humans still have tail bones haha

[@oxxhill]

We have tails too

[@NerdyGeeky]

I'm making a presentation of this topic for my EvoDevo module. Thank you for supplying your references they were really helpful!

[@davidm5707]

Thanks; I always wondered about this, as a lover of cetaceans. I spoke with a scientist at the Hopkins Marine Research Station who told me about whales' relationship to hippos, to my surprise. Although I did know about the little deer like animal.

[@pikminmj9986]

So it this why skitty and wailord can breed in Pokémon, highly doubt they did this on purpose but cool that we can explain it (as much as a cat breeding with a whale can be explained)

[@Anonymous3731]

Pikminmj9 I know this is two years late, but the Pokémon team actually do look into these sort of things. It’s possible, but it could’ve just fit into the formula there. Cool theory!

[@flutterbree]

I just made a comment about the same exact thing, hahahaha

[@nicheexplorer4053]

Because the eggs are made magically. Pokemon do not reproduce the same way irl animals do.

[@fraserhenderson7839]

So much change in 20 million years. Other life forms have used essentially the same size and shape for hundreds of millions of years. Thank you for this edifying video.

[@rapdactyl]

Evolution: If it ain't broke don't fix it. Also evolution: There's a lot of unexploited food over there 👀👀👀👀

[@Sofia-nc1tu]

"tiny, cat-sized deer things" are so cute

[@archaeodesigns3844]

Awesome presentation, informative and to the point! Makes me want to research the Basilosaurus.

[@mhilmyfauzi4523]

Whales are beautiful

[@glaceonpokemon4712]

M Hilmy Fauzi they are majestic

[@JanetStarChild]

Even better.

[@thanksforcheckinginimstill1390]

M Hilmy Fauzi you think I'm Beautiful

[@skydiesay6019]

Regular whales yes, human wha,es no

[@360.Tapestry]

somebody's upset that other people are happy lol this is not an evolutionary advantage

[@existencedefieslogic9658]

I learned two new things: Arteodactyls and ceteceans, and that they are somewhat related. Quite fascinating stuff.

[@mriaschug5432]

3:48 just look at that award winning smile

[@Weaseldog2001]

Air breathers have advantages over water breathers. More oxygen in the blood, means that they tire slower, and can grow bigger brains.

[@rejiequimiguing1279]

Can't breathe under water

[@xxXthekevXxx]

Rejie Quimiguing 👈 we’ve got an EXPERT over here!!!

[@MRCOLOURfilld]

Rejie Quimiguing right but its still very efficient. Do some research on how deep Sperm whales can dive

[@Mael_Str0M]

I’m surprised Sandy didn’t say that in “Pressure”.

[@nerdzilla1355]

fish: i love water amphibian: land is cool too reptiles-mammals: i love land ambelocetus: water is cool too whales: i love water wow nice job mammals smh

[@ilikemetal2910]

nerdzilla135 lol

[@kevinlittrell3407]

there are plenty of reptiles that became fully aquatic like the Mosasaur and the ichthyosaur

[@epicfromepicgames8222]

What's an ambelpcetus

[@alexameadow5447]

They literally made a u turn

[@AndrewGiles688]

What about aquatic reptiles like sea turtles, marine iguanas, and sea snakes?

[@williamsledge3151]

My friend didn't believe me when I said that they did walk

[@elijahmikhail4566]

William Sledge Maybe your friend doesn't believe in evolution or has a limited grasp of it.

[@grizzlymanverneteil4443]

Gawd dunnit

[@C0rmac0Neill]

maybe they thought you meant blue whales walk around on their flippers

[@Calus767]

Next time just point out your friend's momma and say "there's living proof".

[@jaredyoung5353]

That's because it's INSAIN. If ppl didn't get force fed this crap no one would believe it

[@sebastienguenette7903]

You are such a great host kallie, it's so easy learn when you're the one doing the video. Please keep it up! :)

[@bluetannery1527]

This is so so so amazing to me. It’s just incredible to think that Indohyus was largely responsible for all of the cetaceans and their lineages.... like, it’s just mind boggling idk why man

[@movienaut]

I have watched every video you had on your channel, and now that I realised that I saw every video, I realise I watched them all with great interest and fascination. The only bad thing is that there aren't any more videos. Therefore, I'm subbing! Congratz, PBS Eons

[@prysmakitty]

Pleistocene megafauna, please. And the Great American Interchange. This was awesome, as always. It makes my day every time I see a notification about a new Eons vid. :-)

[@al3030]

Just amazing how life unfolds and evolves. Thanks for the great videos!

[@GigawingsVideo]

I love to imagine an Indohyus fell into a river when drinking and starts swimming and think "Hey, this feel great! I need to swim more!" and 20 mil years later the whale was like "This is fine."

[@alexeratops]

Very cool. I love learning about strange paths that evolution takes. Thanks for another quality video!

[@PhrontDoor]

Daniel, it's what the evidence shows -- the fossil record is consistent in morphology, geography and chronology -- so it's like saying "the DNA from my mom is a match for me, and the DNA from my dad is a match for me -- but that's just speculation because it's only science"... So far, we have a cetacean lineage of this : pakicetus, nalacetus, ichthyolestes, gandakasia, ambulocetus, himalayacetus, attockicetus, remingtonocetus, dalanistes, kutchicetus, andrewsiphius, indocetus, rhodocetus, rodhocetus balochistanensis, rhodocetus kasrani, Qaisracetus, takracetus, artiocetus, babiacetus, protocetus, pappocetus, eocetus, georgiacetus, natchitochia, dorudon, Squalodon, ancalacetus, gaviacetus or gaviocetus, basilosaurus, artiocetus clavis You'll notice it's also consistent in absence too, in that when we have an A then B then C then D, you won't find A's or B's still hanging around with the Ds.

[@alexeratops]

Not to mention they literally provided the evidence in the video, so it isn't speculation

[@jamescollins4500]

Yet Micah, the connection or trail from one "evidence" to another is often filled with preconception. Also the "evidence" is generally partial evidence with the missing stuff filled to meet the requirements of the connection.

[@PhrontDoor]

James, Actually, in science, evidence is usually deemed valid when it's able to demonstrate the EXCLUSION of a model. So, for evolution, we accept the lineage (and the model) I'd mentioned BECAUSE it resolutely destroys all competing models EXCEPT for evolution.

[@jamescollins4500]

PhrontDoor, I was not questioning evolution, but the simplistic explanation that was presented here. As you know there are many gaps in lineages, think how often the lineage of the horse has been restated, but the presentation given here was as if every step is cast in stone.

[@BarbarosaAlexander]

Thank you so much for doing one on whale evolution. It's one of my favourite topics.

[@historian96]

Thank you so, so much for another great video and for furthering public education! Cheers!

[@MariaAdelina]

I love this content so much. Thank you for sharing. 🙏🏼🙏🏼🙏🏼

[@JodyBaxmeyerPresents]

Ooooh whales and history all rolled into one. Great episode!

[@Stevonicus]

The sound seems a bit off in this episode - mainly the voice-over is a bit tinny.

[@thelonelydirector]

Hiya. That was my mistake, but we fixed it. I didn't notice it until the edit came back. Seth and Synema studios did a good job fixing it. Had a lot to do with mic position. - Nick J.

[@robburgess4556]

I kept noticing the 185 changing positions during the video. That must make it difficult matching the pieces.

[@Stevonicus]

thelonelydirector hi Nick, thanks for responding. I've really enjoyed the series up to here and I'm glad that you are listening to feedback. I hope the series continues to be great.

[@AJGoff110]

+thelonelydirector Nick J, are you sure? or did you re-upload? Because I'm watching this video 7 hours after your comment and the audio is still off.

[@elliotbradley]

I've watched a few of these videos and I'm pretty sure that's just how her voice is.

[@thisischriswright]

This video is so cool and interesting! Would you guys ever consider doing one on ichthyosaur evolution too?

[@greghanson869]

Ok, so I’m old school PBS. This series is giving off 90’s NOVA vibes, and I LOVE it!

[@jimmybobby9400]

More of this host please. She does a great job.

[@drippingalot8919]

She's adorable

[@57hound]

Fascinating! I love this channel. Thank you for producing consistently awesome content.

[@mercedesmarton3768]

"So long and thanks for all the fish. "

[@PeperoTheChihuahua]

The Royal Ontario Museum had an exhibit about this a few years ago! It was a big one with a new skeleton from a whale that had beached in the Maritimes, and it was the first time I had ever heard about its evolutionary past! It was mind-blowing!!! There was also a kids section with a life-size reproduction of a whales jawbones and a krill costume to dress up in and stand in the mouth....which I did😂

[@justthecoolestdudeyo9446]

I was wondering how mammals wound up in the ocean, this was really interesting! Now I know it's from the lineage of mammals that made deer and the like.

[@critterfreek83]

Yep, good old cloven hoofed mammals. Cetaceans even have stomachs with multiple chambers like they do!

[@Krommandant]

What about seals and otters? Aren't they mammals currently ongoing the transition from land to water? Your videos are really intellectually stimulating as I always end up with more questions by the end of the video than I had before watching them!

[@starstorm1267]

This comment is old but it is unknown if seals or otters will end up like whales. There is no end goal in evolution, only adapting to an environment. This can lead to many possibilities, whether it’s otters and seals becoming like whales or just ditching the water entirely. Only time will tell

[@M3NT4L4]

So now I know why my coffee keeps spilling Those damn whales walking around shaking everything

[@annabruhnhartung8632]

Yaaaaaaaeeeee this video helped me SO much👌🏻💪🏻❤️for my assignment in school

[@jordanwindsor2031]

I absolutely love this channel keep up the good work

[@DBWhale]

*I DON'T THINK YOU UNDERSTAND HOW MUCH I LOVE WHALES* I already knew all of this (no joke) but I just can't get over how fascinating this is ❤💖💓💕💗💙💚💛💜💝💞💟🐋🐳😍😍😍

[@mikewillis33]

The ear bone would have given the land mammal an edge when hunting in the water. This could lead to generations spending more and more time in the water, evolution takes place over time and you've got the transition mammal

[@ryanmachado9440]

Wow, I'm finally starting to see how DNA evidence supports evolution especially when you compare the DNA of other living things.

[@Dragrath1]

This is one of those fascinating evolutionary transitions in life either from the water or into land that have occurred many times but rarely in ways that can be easily studied other than whales most of those transitions seem to have happened way too long ago to leave a very complete fossil record. For instance the large sea reptiles that transitioned back towards the ocean during the Triassic (notably right after the great dying cleared out much of the ocean native competition) I think the only of the mesozoic sea reptiles we really know what exactly they came from group wise were the Mosasaurus which were relatives of snakes and monitor lizards

[@AliceQuinnRose]

What about seals?

[@brookeconsole5719]

Seals and otters are in the same order (Carnivora), alongside bears, dogs, and cats. Seals are also much less specialized for aquatic life than whales, but at least they still know how to seal the deal.

[@helpme5785]

aleix1203 current me if I'm wrong, but I think alice pope- Terry was referring to the fact that they too are mammals who are making the transition to life in the water?

[@blod452]

Seals rely on land to be able to complete various cycles of their life. Sirenians and whales are the only mammals who live wholly aquatic lives.

[@lsamaknight]

Exactly. The pinnipeds all HAVE to haul out onto the land to mate and give birth as far as I'm aware while the Sirenians and Ceteceans CAN'T leave the water without risking death (some Orca's in South America have developed hunting behaviours that take them up into the surf zone and even out of the water, but they run the risk of being completely stranded with fatal results if they go to far and get stuck).

[@benschofield1361]

Pedro Rocha lol

[@0zRevolution]

One of your best episodes :-) Bring background tunes back to Eons :-)

[@jerryeads4084]

You do really wonderful stuff. I'm really enjoying your work. Thanks.

[@JakeFoster01]

My new favorite channel

[@eons]

Great to hear, thanks! (BdeP)

[@Clockworkcityofpain]

I saw the notification and I went WHAT? out loud and now me and my sister are weirded out after seeing this video

[@HeVn7LaO]

I watched a documentary about a dead whale being autopsied and they found tiny hind leg bones attached to the back bone of the whale proving that whales are once land dwellers...evolution is so amazing

[@vangodwinmyyoutubealias7592]

You see the same evolution happening with Polar Bears. In 40 MILLION years, polar bears will probably be huge marine mammals like whales 🐋🐳.

[@Ledinosour673]

nah, polar bears will probably be extint, but i'm really hoping that penguins or some other kind of sea bird will go through the same evolution that whales did, i'm in love with the idea of giant birds dominating the earth

[@vangodwinmyyoutubealias7592]

@@Ledinosour673 🙂 Thanks for the feedback. I appreciate your input. Penguins and other species of birds evolving into Giant Birds would be a Remarkable outcome of their evolution. But honestly, Giant Birds scare me. Humans can become prey to Giant Birds. 😳

[@1badombre82]

Transitioning whales are Soo brave

[@Kyo-uz1zi]

Bruh 😂😂

[@Twinklethefox9022]

They are scary

[@jennaozzy6863]

One of my favorite transitions in evolutionary history

[@cupcake9236]

My high school experience would have gone a lot differently if any of my teachers talked with even some of her enthusiasm about their topic. Hard to find people that get stoked about their field who want to deal with brats I guess...

[@pd.dataframe2833]

your high school teacher has to talk about the same thing over and over again...unlike this woman who only had to talk once for the video

[@centoreacliff7033]

Thank you for making these videos,I -We appreciate it!😆

[@TheKinglax94]

Last time I was this early whales were walking

[@ovicephalus5938]

They didn't evolve from artiodactyls, they are artiodactyls. My favourite group of mammals, just beautiful variety. The biggest known animal, the largest ever terrestrial carnivorous mammal and beutiful animals like deers included.

[@Pfhorrest]

What's the largest terrestrial carnivorous mammal?

[@Blue_Anzu]

I think that's what she meant "They evolved from (other) artiodactyls" just like how birds evolved from dinosaurs, but they still count as dinosaurs

[@Blue_Anzu]

Polar Bear

[@ovicephalus5938]

Pfhorrest Andrewsarchus Mongoliensis, but I heard that the short faced bear might take that title away.

[@matthewcapobianco9332]

Depends really, artiodactyls and cetacea usually are considered separate clades, but now with better proof of a common ancestor many biologists are making the push to redefine the two clades as one called Cetartiodactyla. So both answers are technically correct, while I would say defining them as one clade is more correct.

[@KXSWORKS]

I subscribed! Great videos Sooner or later your channel will be famous.

[@metanumia]

I have a pet Indohyus, it loves my pool! It also makes *very* loud calls, that I call "pings", when it wants food (which is all the time). I usually feed it a slurry of pine nuts, dates, bryophytes, shrimp tails, and tadpoles that I combine in a blender. It is as smart as a pig!

[@joaophilippe]

A video about the evolution of snakes, please.

[@WhattheHectogon]

I love her, and this channel. Keep up the wonderful biology!

[@viralengine908]

Slowing things down both in the edit and the line delivery was a really really good decisions.

[@ladyrachel13]

I read an article a few years ago that polar bears are making that transition now. Who knows what they'll end up looking like.

[@Zero11zero1zero]

My favorite topic in the whole WOooORRRORLrrrlllD!!!!!

[@fosna8650]

Everybody gangsta until whales start walking

[@tinamclaughlin1991]

Awesome presentation, quite a short time in the scheme of things!

[@danvallentyne9587]

I would have loved to see more of the timeline into modern whales, seeing the limbs atrophy in the Fossil record and the nostrils move dorsally. Great content though please keep up the excellent work!

[@sapphirII]

I watched a second time, and I wish I could give a second like... :(

[@zrk9867]

Indohyus , my brother...

[@pjsopinion8028]

Wow, what a great video! Thank you.

[@cramorantisgod4533]

thanks for giving me another way to flex my knowledge to my class.