Nalacetus fossil map
Where fossils of Nalacetus have been found, shown on the Earth as it looked about 45 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 45 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 | 48.07–41.03 million years ago (Lutetian) |
| Periods | Paleogene |
| Family | Pakicetidae |
| Named by | Thewissen and Hussain 1998 |
| Fossil records | 4 occurrences at 2 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | Pakistan |
| Rock formations | Kuldana |
About Nalacetus
Nalacetus is an extinct pakicetid early whale, fossils of which have been found in Lutetian red beds in Punjab, Pakistan (33.6°N 72.2°E / 33.6; 72.2, paleocoordinates 14.3°N 68.3°E / 14.3; 68.3). Nalacetus lived in a fresh water environment, was amphibious, and carnivorous. It was considered monophyletic by Cooper, Thewissen & Hussain 2009.
It was said to be wolf-sized and one of the earliest forms of the order Cetacea.
Nalacetus is known mostly from dental remains from the Lutetian of the Kala Chitta Hill, Punjab, Pakistan:
H-GSP 96055, right palatal fragment with P4 and M1−2.
H-GSP 30306, right maxillary fragment with P2 and partial P3−4; a fragmentary mandible with fragmented teeth together with some isolated lower teeth.
In the cheek teeth of Pakicetus, the protocone lobe increases from the first molar to the third. In Nalacetus, in contrast, the protocone lobe is larger in the first molar than in the second.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Nalacetus (revision 1360588693), 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: Q18607517.
