Facts about Basilosaurus, an extinct prehistoric animal

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Dinosaur Jungle   >   Other Prehistoric Animals   >   Basilosaurus

Basilosaurus



Basilosaurus

Scientific Classification
  Kingdom Animalia
  Phylum Chordata
  Class Mammalia
  Order Cetacea
  Suborder Archaeoceti
  Family Basilosauridae
  Subfamily Basilosaurinae
  Genus Basilosaurus
Basilosaurus was a type of extinct cetacean (this is the group containing whales, dolphins and porpoises). It lived between about 40 and 34 million years ago, and is immediately recognizable by its elongated serpent-like body which grew up to 60 feet (18 meters) in length.

Basilosaurus had a number of unusual features. These included vestigial but greatly reduced hind limbs (probably not useful for propelling the animal, but possibly used as a guide during mating), highly elongated vertebrae (similar to snakes), and a skeletal anatomy which suggests it may have moved an eel-like fashion. Unlike modern whales and dolphins, Basilosaurus did not have a melon organ (which modern cetaceans use for echolocation), and was probably also incapable of deep diving.

Fossils of Basilosaurus were first found in Louisana, but since then additional fossils have been found not only in the United States, but also in Egypt and Pakistan.

The story of the discovery of Basilosaurus is an interesting one. During the 19th century, Fossils of the animal were apparently very common in Alabama and Louisana, so much so, that local people used the bones to make furniture! However, some fossils were sent to the American Philosophical Society, and were eventually examined by Doctor Richard Harlan. Harlan examined the specimens and believed they were reptilian, and name the creature "Basilosaurus" which means "King lizard" or "King reptile". Later however, other material was examined by Sir Richard Owen, who determined that the animal was in fact a mammal. Owen suggested renaming the animal as Zeuglodon cetoides, however as the first published name takes precedence, the name Basilosaurus is still used today.

Today, Basilosaurus cetoides (the species whose fossils are found in the United States) is the State Fossil of Alabama and Mississippi.

Although, the last known fossil of Basilosaurus dates back to around 34 million years ago, some cryptozoologists (people who search for rumored or mythical animals, whose actual existence is uncertain) have suggested that some alleged sightings of giant sea serpents and sea monsters could in fact be sightings of living Basilosaurus or a modern living relative.

Basilosaurus Timeline:



Basilosaurus was a cetacean that lived between 40 and 34 million years ago

Basilosaurus was a cetacean that lived between 40 and 34 million years ago


Related Information & Resources


See Also

Basilosaurus Books


Here are some books from Amazon.com:

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Basilosaurus (Prehistoric Beasts)
By Marc Zabludoff

Marshall Cavendish
Released: January 30th, 2010
Library Binding (32 pages)

Basilosaurus (Prehistoric Beasts)
Lowest New Price: $32.64*
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Description:
Basilosaurus (Prehistoric Beasts)
  • Manufacturer: Cavendish Square
  • Brand: Marshall Cavendish
  • ISBN: 0761439994
  • EAN: 9780761439998
Details:
  • Product Category: Library Binding
  • Number of Pages: 32
  • Author: Marc Zabludoff
  • Publication Date: January 30th, 2010
  • Release Date: January 30th, 2010
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.25 inches by 9.25 inches by 0.25 inches
  • Weight: 0.70106999316 pounds
Features:
  • Used Book in Good Condition
Click here for more information
Basilosaurus - Ancient Marine Life, High Interest Low Level Reading - Non-Fiction for Struggling Readers, Grade 2 - Epic Collection
By Kate Moening

EPIC
Released: January 1st, 2024
Library Binding (24 pages)

Basilosaurus - Ancient Marine Life, High Interest Low Level Reading - Non-Fiction for Struggling Readers, Grade 2 - Epic Collection
Lowest New Price: $26.95*
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Description:
Basilosaurus - Ancient Marine Life, High Interest Low Level Reading - Non-Fiction for Struggling Readers, Grade 2 - Epic Collection
  • Manufacturer: Epic
  • Brand: EPIC
  • EAN: 9798886878400
Details:
  • Product Category: Library Binding
  • Number of Pages: 24
  • Author: Kate Moening
  • Publication Date: January 1st, 2024
  • Release Date: January 1st, 2024
Physical Description:
  • Size: 0.5 inches by 9.0 inches by 7.5 inches
  • Weight: 0.54895103238 pounds
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On the Fossil Genus Basilosaurus, Harlan, (Zeuglodon, Owen) With a Notice of Specimens From the Eocene Green Sand of South Carolina
By Richard Owen & Robert W 1809-1866 Gibbes

Palala Press
Released: February 19th, 2018
Paperback (24 pages)

On the Fossil Genus Basilosaurus, Harlan, (Zeuglodon, Owen) With a Notice of Specimens From the Eocene Green Sand of South Carolina
Lowest New Price: $13.95*
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Description:
On the Fossil Genus Basilosaurus, Harlan, (Zeuglodon, Owen) With a Notice of Specimens From the Eocene Green Sand of South Carolina
  • Manufacturer: Palala Press
  • ISBN: 1378111451
  • EAN: 9781378111451
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 24
  • Authors: Richard Owen, M 1805-1857 Tuomey, Robert W 1809-1866 Gibbes
  • Publication Date: February 19th, 2018
  • Release Date: February 19th, 2018
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.21 inches by 6.14 inches by 0.05 Inches
  • Weight: 0.11 pounds
Click here for more information
Egypt: The Whales Valley
By Monica J Ledoux

Monica Ledoux
Released: September 18th, 2024
Paperback (38 pages)

Egypt: The Whales Valley
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Description:
Egypt: The Whales Valley
  • Manufacturer: Monica Ledoux
  • EAN: 9798218513931
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Format: Large Print
  • Number of Pages: 38
  • Author: Monica J Ledoux
  • Publication Date: September 18th, 2024
  • Release Date: September 18th, 2024
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.0 inches by 6.0 inches by 0.09 inches
  • Weight: 0.18959754532 pounds
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The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals (Princeton Field Guides)
By Donald R. Prothero

Princeton University Press
Kindle Edition (240 pages)

The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals (Princeton Field Guides)
Lowest New Price: $19.25*
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Description:
The Princeton Field Guide to Prehistoric Mammals (Princeton Field Guides)
  • Manufacturer: Princeton University Press
Details:
  • Kindle Edition
  • Format: Kindle eBook
  • Number of Pages: 240
  • Author: Donald R. Prothero
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Bemerkungen Ãœber Zeuglodon Cetoides Owen's, Basilosaurus Harlans's, Hydrarchos Koch's (Classic Reprint)
By Hermann Burmeister

Forgotten Books
Paperback (22 pages)

Bemerkungen Ãœber Zeuglodon Cetoides Owen s, Basilosaurus Harlans s, Hydrarchos Koch s (Classic Reprint)
Lowest New Price: $18.57*
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Description:
Bemerkungen Ãœber Zeuglodon Cetoides Owen's, Basilosaurus Harlans's, Hydrarchos Koch's (Classic Reprint)
  • Manufacturer: Forgotten Books
  • ISBN: 0266678416
  • EAN: 9780266678410
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 22
  • Author: Hermann Burmeister
Physical Description:
  • Size: 0.393700787 inches by 8.99999999082 inches by 5.99999999388 inches
  • Weight: 0.0992080179 pounds
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Notice of the Discovery of a Carnium of the Zeuglodon, (Basilosaurus)
By M 1805-1857 Tuomey

Sagwan Press
Released: February 4th, 2018
Paperback (26 pages)

Notice of the Discovery of a Carnium of the Zeuglodon, (Basilosaurus)
Lowest New Price: $13.95*
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Description:
Notice of the Discovery of a Carnium of the Zeuglodon, (Basilosaurus)
  • Manufacturer: Sagwan Press
  • Brand: Sagwan Press
  • ISBN: 1376646943
  • EAN: 9781376646948
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 26
  • Author: M 1805-1857 Tuomey
  • Publication Date: February 4th, 2018
  • Release Date: February 4th, 2018
Physical Description:
  • Size: 9.21 inches by 6.14 inches by 0.05 Inches
  • Weight: 0.11 pounds
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Barry Needs a Dentist
By Sarah B. Odom PhD

Independently published
Released: March 8th, 2021
Paperback (52 pages)

Barry Needs a Dentist
Lowest New Price: $13.12*
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Description:
Barry Needs a Dentist
  • Manufacturer: Independently published
  • EAN: 9798716229716
Details:
  • Paperback
  • Number of Pages: 52
  • Author: Sarah B. Odom PhD
  • Publication Date: March 8th, 2021
  • Release Date: March 8th, 2021
Physical Description:
  • Size: 8.5 inches by 8.5 inches by 0.13 inches
  • Weight: 0.33951188348 pounds
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Out of the Miocene
By John Charles Beecham

Paleozoic Press
Kindle Edition (0 pages)

Out of the Miocene
Lowest New Price: $1.39*
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Description:
Out of the Miocene
  • Manufacturer: Paleozoic Press
Details:
  • Kindle Edition
  • Format: Kindle eBook
  • Number of Pages: 0
  • Author: John Charles Beecham
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