Whales in ancient times was dangerous predators
Ancient whales were ferocious predators, say Australian scientists. About his discovery, they reported in the journal Biology Letters.
Previously it was assumed that the ancient whales used the teeth as a sieve, filtering the food, mostly small crustaceans. However, according to the researchers, they were able to hunt much larger prey.
Using 3D scanners, the researchers created a digital model of the teeth of fossil and modern baleen whales mammals of paleontological collections from all over the world.
They found that the ancient whales were much more sharp teeth than modern — apparently, their main function was to break the flesh of the prey.
Contrary to earlier theories, the teeth of the ancient whales were much more similar to the teeth of modern carnivores: lions, coyotes, Cougars. Obviously, the ability to filter the whales came to much later.
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