The evolution of the Whale & Dolphin

[dave_c]

Can somebody please describe the evolution of the Whales and Dolphins? What was the apperance of their land based descendants and who are the closest land mammal relatives at present? And finally what drove them (u-turn per say) back to the sea, 'untapped' food supply perhaps?

[incitatus]

the toothed whales seem to have been something like a bear.  as to close living relatives, there arent really any that I am aware of.

It may be misleading to think of something "driving"them into the sea.  evolution doesnt work like that.  Look at otters.  no-one is standing over them with a stick "driving" them into the rivers, and this in all probability is how the journey from winnie the pooh to flipper started.

The protowhales saw an unexploited food resource and went for it.  And who can blame them, sushi is great.

[smadge]

I've seen people with sticks driving otters into rivers.

[inferno]

It would seem that whales are fairly closely related to hippos. See this link:

http://www.vetscite.org/publish/items/002086/

[inferno]

Delete the <P> (sigh)