What do scientists think about the common ancestor of whales and hippos?

Question

1. The animal is still alive today.

2. The animal lived in water.

3. The animal had two limbs.

4. The animal lived millions of years ago.

Answer 1

Scientists generally agree that the common ancestor of whales and hippos was a four-legged, semi-aquatic mammal that lived around 50 million years ago. This animal likely had adaptations for both land and water, with features that eventually led to the diverse forms of whales and hippos we see today. While the exact characteristics and appearance of this common ancestor may never be known for certain, the evidence suggests that it played a key role in the evolution of these two distinct groups of animals.