Whale Evolution

What do creodonts have to do with whales?

• They are the direct ancestors of whales.

• They share a common ancestor with the early mammals that evolved into whales.

• They are unrelated to whales.

• Creodonts were the first type of whale.

When did whales develop fins?

• Right away when they became aquatic.

• Over millions of years as their limbs adapted to life in water.

• Fins developed only in the last 1,000 years.

• They never developed fins.

Can I turn into a whale if I live by the ocean long enough?

• Yes, through natural evolution.

• No, humans can't evolve into whales, evolution takes millions of years.

• Yes, if you have the right genetic mutation.

• Only if you spend your entire life swimming.

Why didn’t they look like whales right away?

• Evolution is a slow process that takes millions of years.

• They were always whales, just small ones.

• They didn’t need to look like whales to survive.

• They couldn’t adapt to aquatic life.

How long does it take to uncover a fossil?

• It can take a few hours if the fossil is near the surface.

• It depends on the location and fossil depth, but sometimes years or decades.

• Fossils are uncovered instantly when discovered.

• Fossils are always uncovered in less than a year.

Why did the blowhole move to the top of the head?

• To make breathing easier while swimming.

• To help whales communicate better underwater.

• To allow them to swim deeper.

• To catch more food.

When did the whale's skin adapt?

• The skin adapted within the last 100 years.

• Over millions of years, as whales evolved for aquatic life.

• Whales always had the same skin.

• The skin evolved only after the whales became very large.

9. Whales have more teeth than most land animals because:

• They have evolved to catch slippery prey effectively.

• They use them primarily for communication.

• They need them for filter feeding.

• It is a misconception; most whales actually have fewer teeth than many land animals.

Why do toothed whales use their teeth?

• Whales don't have teeth at all.

• Toothed whales use their teeth for catching and eating prey like fish or squid.

• Whales have more teeth because they need them to communicate.

• Whales have extra teeth because they are mammals.

What caused whales to adapt into so many different types?

• The availability of many types of prey and environments.

• The need to become faster swimmers.

• Only one type of whale evolved.

• They adapted in order to compete with land animals.