Scientists discover colossal whale fossil that lived 40 million years ago

A Blue Whale, long ago, reigned as the biggest and heaviest animal of all time, leaving behind the giant dinosaurs of the past.

However, a recent study published in the journal Nature suggests that a new competitor may be on the verge of claiming the title of heavyweight of the seas.

percetus colossus, a true giant of the seas

The researchers analyzed the partial skeleton of an ancient whale, the percetus colossus — a real giant of the seas that lived about 40 million years ago.

By exploring data from massive bones discovered in the Peruvian desert, the international team of scientists estimated that this ancient whale had an average body mass of 180 tons.

Although it does not displace the record blue whale, which reached 190 tons in weight, according to Guinness World Records, the relevance of such a discovery lies in the possibility that the percetus colossus have been considerably larger.

(Image: publicity)

O paleontologist Mario Urbina, who led the discovery of the fossil in 2010, shares that the news of the colossal whale found was initially skeptical.

“There is no record of the existence of an animal as large as this one, it is the first, so nobody believed me when we discovered it,” said Urbina.

Repercussions of the discovery

This new finding not only opens space for further investigations, but also triggers discussions and questions in the field of paleontology.

The partial skeleton was revealed to the public at a press conference at the Museum of Natural History in the Peruvian capital, where it remains on display.

Collecting and preparing samples of the giant fossils took years of meticulous work and collaboration by teams of Peruvian and European researchers.

The final conclusion revealed that the percetus colossus is a new species of basilosauridae, a long-extinct family of cetaceans.

The researchers found a total of 13 vertebrae, one weighing nearly 200 kilograms, plus ribs and a hip bone.

The body of evidence suggests that cetaceans reached their peak body mass about 30 million years earlier than previously believed.

While some scientists are hesitant to claim the heavyweight animal's record, the importance of the discovery cannot be underestimated.

A percetus colossus, in addition to its estimated weight, offers an intriguing insight into the evolution of whales and the adaptation of these creatures to the marine environment.

Its skeletal structure, composed of dense, heavy bones, suggests an adaptation to balance buoyancy and density, allowing this ancient giant to effortlessly remain submerged.

The discovery reminds us of the vast complexity and diversity of earth history, in which amazing creatures like the percetus colossus, shaped the seas millions of years ago.