A 25-million-year-old fossil found on an Australian beach has led to the discovery of a new species that sheds light on the evolution of whales. The tiny creature, named Janjucetus dullardi, was a juvenile and could fit in a single bed, unlike today’s massive whales.
The new species had bulging eyes, shark-like teeth, and a snout similar to a seal’s. Despite its fearsome appearance, researchers believe it was an early branch on the whale family tree that led to modern species like humpbacks and minkes. The discovery has provided valuable insights into how prehistoric whales ate, moved, and behaved.
The fossil was discovered by amateur paleontologist Ross Dullard in 2019 and sent to Museums Victoria Research Institute for analysis. Senior curator Erich Fitzgerald confirmed the find as a new species, noting its unique features and rarity. The discovery is significant because it reveals how ancient cetaceans adapted to warmer oceans and can provide clues about how today’s marine life might respond to climate change.
Fitzgerald described Janjucetus dullardi as “deceptively cute,” with features that were unlike any modern whale species. The fossil found was only a partial skull, but its discovery has sparked excitement among researchers and enthusiasts alike.
Source: https://www.oregonlive.com/nation/2025/08/deceptively-cute-ancient-whale-had-a-pokemon-face-and-a-predator-bite.html