- In Peru, scientists discovered fossils of Perucetus colossus, an extinct enormous whale species.
- With each vertebra weighing over 100 kg and ribs extending about 5 feet long, this giant whale could be a contender for the title of biggest mammal ever to have lived.
About Perucetus Colossus Whale
- The discovery of the Perucetus colossus whale (which lived roughly 39 million years ago) occurred more than a decade ago in Peru’s Ica desert, a location famed for its abundant marine fossils.
- The whale’s estimated length was around 66 feet (20 metres), making it shorter than some blue whales that grow to be over 100 feet.
- The ancient giant’s massive and hefty bones contributed to its astonishing estimated weight, making it a slow swimmer that most likely lived in shallow coastal waters.
- Feeding Habits: Scientists are unsure about the whale’s diet in the absence of the head, believing that it may have scavenged on the seafloor or ingested massive amounts of krill and other marine animals.
Significance
- If confirmed, Perucetus colossus could overtake the blue whale as the heaviest known animal, whether living or extinct.
- Evolutionary Importance: The species exemplifies evolution’s ability to produce animals with features that defy human comprehension.
- The absence of a head and teeth remains a paleontological mystery, leaving the feeding behaviour and ecological role of this ancient giant open to further inquiry.
Source: https://m.economictimes.com/news/international/us/what-is-a-colossal-whale-know-about-the-newly-discovered-whale-which-can-be-heaviest-animal-ever/articleshow/102402870.cms#:~:text=According%20to%20a%20study%20published,to%20187%2C393%20to%20749%2C572%20pounds).