Whales in the Making: a page with 6 strips illustrating extinct early whale ancestors (skeletons and reconstructions), to be cut apart and used by student teams on their Eocene timeline, following the narrative sequence. (very sharp, 1.1 MB PDF file). For a lo-res sampler (for quick download), click here.

Some Modern Whales: a page of 6 species of modern whales, in approximately comparable scale sizes (an optional item). Can be cut apart to place on classroom Cenozoic timeline, or used to make overhead transparency. (very sharp, 1.1 MB PDF file). For a lo-res sampler (for quick download), click here.

Pakicetus 2: an alternative reconstruction of Pakicetus (to the one shown on the "Whales in the Making" page. Can be used during class discussion of student discussion question #5.

Whale Family Tree: a current family tree (from Hans Thewissen's web site). Note that the early whale ancestors (archaeocetes) are NOT considered direct antecedants of modern whales, but rather as early offshoots ("cousins") reflecting stages of whale evolution during the Eocene.

Whale Phylogeny, and Osmoregulation page: possible relationships of whales to other living mammals, based on recent DNA analyses; note closeness to hippos, and no indication of relationship to the extinct mesonychid group (possibly more remote that previously thought).
Osmoregulation: analysis of Oxygen isotopes in bones and teeth of living and extinct whales indicates their typical habitats (freshwater vs seawater). Note Ambulocetus' fossils show wide range of water habitats, while earlier archaeocetes indicate freshwater habitat and later archaeoctes are associated with seawater habitat, consistent with anatomical analyses.

Continental Drift (Plate Tectonics) and the Tethys Sea, in 3 phases: to show how the "rafting" of India during the Eocene made the ancient Tethys Sea more and more shallow, therefore warmer, with richer food supply, creating long-term selective pressure favoring the evolution of aquatic mammals in the region. Also, note whale fossil sites in Egypt and eastern USA. (optional item).

Map of Whale Fossil Sites in Pakistan: (shown in red, on green background). These are exposures of Eocene sediments, pushed up byt the snails-paced scrunching of India into Asia.

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