34.5" Fossil Primitive Whale (Pappocetus) Jaw - Morocco

Fossil Primitive Whale (Pappocetus) Jaw - Morocco #251790

Due to the size and weight of this piece it will be shipped on a pallet or in a crate via freight. Our website cannot automatically calculate freight shipping costs, so these costs will be calculated and billed after purchase. Please contact us prior to purchase if you need a shipping quote.

This is an impressive fossil jaw of the giant, primitive whale (Pappocetus lugardi) from Boujdour, Morocco. It measures 34.5" in length and is stunningly preserved with ten original teeth present. There is some repair and crack fill restoration to this incredible piece.

It comes with a custom metal display stand.

Pappocetus is a genus of extinct protocetid cetacean. Protocetids are considered to be one of the earliest examples of whale development during the time they were transitioning from land to sea. Fossil records indicate that they are Middle Eocene in age, existing after Pakicetus (earliest known whale) and prior to Zygorhiza (basilosaurid). These protocetids had become much more whale-like in appearance, featuring a more streamlined body with paddle-like forelegs, and hind-limbs that were greatly reduced in size. Their robust teeth and root structures suggest that they were aquatic carnivores, relying on smell and vision as their most important senses for hunting prey. It's unlikely that by this point they had developed echolocation systems used by modern whales.

About Basilosaurs