Ambulocetus

Ambulocetus, meaning "walking whale," is an extinct mammal that lived about 50 million years ago. It is considered an early ancestor of whales and dolphins. Ambulocetus had features of both land mammals and aquatic animals, with a body suited for swimming and legs capable of walking on land. It likely lived near coastal environments, hunting fish and other prey. Its fossils help scientists understand how whales evolved from land-dwelling mammals to fully aquatic creatures over millions of years. Ambulocetus provides important insights into the transition from terrestrial to marine life in whale evolution.