It?s All In The Hips: Early Whales Used Well Developed Back Legs For Swimming

It?s All In The Hips: Early Whales Used Well Developed Back Legs For Swimming, Fossils Show

The crashing of the enormous fluked tail on the surface of the ocean is a ?calling card? of modern whales. Living whales have no back legs, and their front legs take the form of flippers that allow them to steer. Their special tails provide the powerful thrust necessary to move their huge bulk. Yet this has not always been the case.

You know i learned something very obvious when i was on holiday in the Dominican Republic this year at Ocean world. Whales, Dolphins and Seals when 'swimming' theirs 'tails' go in an up and down motion, however fish tails swish from side to side. Another obvious evolutionary trait where by the legs of their ancestors 'fused' together.

Look at your own legs and imagine how you would swim if your legs were bound. Obvious really when you look at it.