When scientists first discovered Basilosaurus they thought it was the remains of a giant sea monster.
Type: Mammal, early whale
Size: 20m long
Diet: Omnivore
Predators: Probably none
Lived: Late Eocene, 45-36 million years ago.
The warm coastal waters of the Late Eocene epoch were much like modern tropical oceans with one crucial exception. Eocene seas were home to an unusual and gigantic form of early whale called Basilosaurus.
Basilosaurus was the first whale to become truly gigantic in size. Their large bulk meant they needed a great deal of food to keep them going and it is thought that most Basilosaurus spent their days swimming slowly through the shallows, watching for potential prey.
Basilosaurus was not a particularly fussy eater. Fish, sharks, squid, turtles and other marine mammals were all a staple part of its diet and Basilosaurus was well-equipped to find and tackle prey with its keen eyesight and hearing.
Like modern whales, Basilosaurus was an air breather and could not have stayed underwater for long periods of time. It would have to return to the surface to breathe but Basilosaurus did not have a blow hole, it would have to raise the tip of its nose out of the water so that the nostrils could take deep breaths.
译文:
与海怪同行：夺取巨齿鲨半璧江山--龙王鲸
第一次发现龙王鲸化石的时候还以为它是海怪的留下的
门类：哺乳动物，早期鲸鱼
尺寸：20米长
食性：杂食
天敌：可能没有
时代：始新世末期，距今4500万至3600万年
始新世末期的沿海水域和现在的热带海洋一样温暖，除了一个重要的不同。始新世的海洋中游荡着一种与众不同，体型庞大的早期鲸鱼--龙王鲸。
龙王鲸是第一个真正的海中巨鲸。它们庞大的体型意味着它们需要大量的食物来维持，所有大多数龙王鲸都是缓缓的在浅海区游动，随时捕猎食物。
龙王鲸并不是一个挑剔的食客。鱼类、鲨鱼、鱿鱼、海龟和其他海洋哺乳动物，都是它的猎食对象。而且龙王鲸敏锐的视力和听觉让它能够轻松找到和捕获猎物。
和今天的鲸鱼一样，龙王鲸需要换气，不能长时间待在水下。它需要到水面呼吸，但是龙王鲸的鼻孔不是在头顶部的，所以当它上浮时需要将鼻子顶部露出水面，才能成功进行换气。