Paris, July 2, (PRINTWORDS NEWS) The fossils of an ancient sperm whale which is presumed to have existed about 15 million years ago has been found across the southern coast of Peru. Palaeontologists have revealed that the fossils that were found might belong to one of the biggest predators to have ever existed on Earth.
While divulging details about the fossils, Rodolfo Salas, a researcher associated with Peru’s Natural History Museum has stated that fossil belongs to a sperm whale which is the an ancestor of the modern day whale but had certain marked differences in features in comparison to it. It fossil, supposedly, has an enormous tooth which is around 14 inches long and the enormity of the teeth has enabled researchers to reach the conclusion that sperm whale was a dangerous predator. The remains of the beast, which has been named Leviathan Melvillei, was discovered about two years ago along the coast of the Pisco-Ica desert of Peru but scientists revealed the details of the discovery this week.
One of the most startling revelations of the study that has emerged is the possibility that the ancient animal might have feed on whales not less than half its size which were abundant during that period of time. The findings of the research was recently published in the British journal Nature in which the scientists emphasized that the ancient animal was capable of holding preys with its large interlocking teeth, inflict severe wounds in them and then tear huge chunks from the body of the victims. The rather intriguing details of the research is being considered to be immensely significant as it furnishes unknown facts about the past diversity of sperm whales.
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