Llanocetus fossil map
Where fossils of Llanocetus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 30 million years ago and on today’s map.
Dots are fossil collections recorded in the Paleobiology Database. The “then” view moves today’s fossil sites back to their positions 30 million years ago (the time slice nearest the median age of the fossils) using the Merdith et al. (2021) plate model; positions are approximate. Open on the timeline map →
| Group | Early mammals |
|---|---|
| Lived | 39.1–33.9 million years ago (Bartonian to Priabonian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Llanocetidae |
| Named by | Mitchell 1989 |
| Fossil records | 8 occurrences at 4 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Antarctica, New Zealand |
| Rock formations | Submeseta, La Meseta, Red Bluff Tuff |
About Llanocetus
Llanocetus ( "Llano's whale" ) is a genus of extinct toothed baleen whales from the Late Eocene of Antarctica and New Zealand. The type species, Llanocetus denticrenatus, reached gigantic proportions, with the juvenile specimen reaching an estimated 8 m (26 ft) in length; a second, unnamed species, known only from three isolated premolar teeth, reached an estimated total body length of up to 12 m (39 ft). Like other contemporary baleen whales of the Eocene, Llanocetus completely lacked baleen in its jaws. It was probably a suction feeder like the modern beaked and pygmy right whales.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Llanocetus (revision 1379748282), licensed under CC BY-SA 4.0; introduction excerpted verbatim, formatting removed. Ages, family, authority and fossil records: Paleobiology Database, accessed 23 October 2026. Ages are those of the rock layers the fossils were found in. Wikidata: Q20720092.
