Dorudon (meaning "spear-tooth") is an extinct genus of cetacean from Eocene United States and Northern Africa. It lived alongside the giant, carnivorous whale Basilosaurus.
Description[]
Dorudontines were originally believed to be juvenile individuals of Basilosaurus as their fossils are similar but smaller. They have since been shown to be a different genus with the discovery of Dorudon juveniles. Although they look very much like modern whales, basilosaurines and dorudontines lacked the 'melon organ' that allows their descendants to use echolocation as effectively as modern whales. Like other basilosaurids, their nostrils were midway from the snout to the top of the head.
In the Media[]
- Walking With Beasts. - A breeding pod was attacked by a hungry pregnant female Basilosaurus, who devoured several calves to further the chances of her unborn’s survival.
- It appeared briefly from time to time as a Skeleton in the 2nd episode of the PBS Documentary Evolution “Great Transformations”.
- Chased By Sea Monsters. - Nigel Marvin encounters one.