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No, the family of cetaceans that we call dolphins never had legs. However all modern cetaceans, including dolphins, share a common ancestor that had four fully developed limbs. This common ancestor lived between 45 and 50 million years ago and is now extinct, so it is known only through the fossil record.
The fossil record of cetacean evolution, of ancestral mammals transitioning from an amphibious to a fully aquatic lifestyle, is surprisingly thorough. The genetic evidence is equally compelling. Cetaceans have retained the genes for producing hind limbs, and their developing embryos still exhibit prototypical hind leg buds, that are reabsorbed before forming into full limbs. Rarely partial development does occur and a dolphin is born with vestigial hind limbs; a type of birth defect known as a atavism.
What else can I help you with?
Do whales have vestigial legs?
No, whales do not have vestigial legs. They evolved from land-dwelling mammals that had legs, but over time, their legs became adapted into flippers for swimming.
Why don't whales have legs?
Whales are aquatic mammals, meaning that a fluke and flippers are better than legs for these creatures.
Are some whales still alive that have legs?
No
What are the release dates for Morphed - 2009 When Whales Had Legs 1-2?
Morphed - 2009 When Whales Had Legs 1-2 was released on: USA: 8 February 2009
Whales have vestigial legs This suggests they?
That they evolved from land animals.
What is the only mammal on the planet with no legs and fur?
Cetaceans are animals without fur or legs, dolphins and whales
What The legs of insects and the legs of mammals are?
The legs of insects and the legs of mammals are usually jointed. This does not take into consideration, though, that sharks, whales, and dolphins are also mammals.
What evidence do fossils provide about ancestors of whales?
You can see that Whales have hipbones, because they use to be mammals, that walked on 4 legs.
What evidence about the ancestors of whales do fossils provide?
You can see that Whales have hipbones, because they use to be mammals, that walked on 4 legs.
Do killer whales jump?
No. Technically, only animals with legs can jump.
To swim whales move their tails from side to side?
Whales' tails move up and down when they swim, just like peoples' legs.
If an animal does not have four legs can it be a mammal?
Not all mammals have four legs. Bats are mammals, but have only two "legs." Whales and dolphins are mammals, but have no legs at all. What distinguishes mammals from other animals is not the number of legs, but the presence of sweat and milk glands.
