Archive · 15 Aug 2025
New Whale Species Fossil Found On Australian Beach
Imagine a tiny, scary whale from millions of years ago!
Scientists found a fossil of one in Australia.
This whale, called Janjucetus dullardi, was like a mix of a whale, seal, and a Pokemon.
It had sharp teeth and hunted in the ocean.
The discovery helps us learn how whales changed over time.
The fossil was found by a person who loves finding fossils.
This helps scientists understand how whales lived and what they ate, and how they might have dealt with warmer oceans millions of years ago.
Paleontologists discovered a new species of ancient whale named Janjucetus dullardi.
The whale, which lived 25 million years ago, was small with fiendish teeth and a shark-like snout.
The discovery was made on Jan Juc Beach in Australia, known for its fossil-rich environment.
The whale is the fourth species identified from a group of early whales called mammalodontids.
The find offers insights into whale evolution and how ancient cetaceans adapted to warmer oceans.
- Who
- Paleontologists and an amateur fossil hunter.
- What
- A new species of ancient whale (Janjucetus dullardi) was discovered.
- When
- Approximately 25 million years ago, during the Oligocene Epoch.
- Where
- Jan Juc Beach in Australia's Victoria state.
- Why
- To understand whale evolution and how ancient cetaceans adapted to warmer oceans.
- Species Name
- Janjucetus dullardi
- Age of Fossil
- 25 million years old
- Epoch
- Oligocene
- Location of Discovery
- Jan Juc Beach, Australia
- Key Feature
- Shark-like snout and fiendish teeth
- Size
- Small enough to fit in a bed