What is Basilosaurus?
Q: What is Basilosaurus?
A: Basilosaurus is a genus of cetacean, a group of marine mammals that includes whales, dolphins, and porpoises.
Q: When did Basilosaurus live?
A: Basilosaurus lived from 40 to 34 million years ago in the Late Eocene.
Q: Where were the first Basilosaurus fossils found?
A: The first Basilosaurus fossils were found in Louisiana, USA.
Q: Why was Basilosaurus initially believed to be a reptile?
A: Basilosaurus was initially believed to be some sort of reptile because the first fossil of B. cetoides was discovered in the United States and was given the suffix -"saurus".
Q: What did Richard Owen want to rename Basilosaurus and why couldn't he?
A: Richard Owen wanted to rename Basilosaurus to Zeuglodon ("yoked tooth"), but by taxonomic rules the creature's first name remained permanent.
Q: What is the length of Basilosaurus?
A: At 15–20 m (49–66 ft), Basilosaurus was one of the largest oceanic animals of its time.
Q: When did Basilosaurus go extinct?
A: Basilosaurus went extinct during the Eocene Extinction.
