Ambulocetidae

Skeletal reconstruction of Ambulocetus, in the background below Pakicetus

• India
• Pakistan

The Ambulocetidae are a group of extinct ancestors of whales. They include the genera Ambulocetus, Gandakasia and Himalayacetus. While the first, have been in the fossil record of the last two only teeth and jaw fragments through the skull, teeth and most of the rest of the skeleton is known.

This Urwale were already well adapted to a life in the water, but could also move on land. In their way of life and the mode of transportation they could with today's otters, but are partially compared because of their special anatomical features with crocodiles.

See also: Pakicetidae, Basilosaurus, Dorudontidae

Genera

• Ambulocetus Thewissen et al., 1994
• Gandakasia Dehm & Oettingen- Spielberg, 1958
• Himalayacetus Bajpai & Gingerich, 1998

See also: Dorudontidae, Basilosaurus, Pakicetidae