Salishicetus fossil map
Where fossils of Salishicetus 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 | 27.3–15.98 million years ago (Chattian to Burdigalian) |
| Periods | Paleogene, Neogene |
| Family | Aetiocetidae |
| Named by | Peredo and Pyenson 2018 |
| Fossil records | 4 occurrences at 2 locations (PBDB) |
| Found in | United States |
| Rock formations | txn:42972, Vaqueros |
About Salishicetus
Salishicetus is an extinct genus of aetiocetid baleen whale from the Late Oligocene discovered in Washington state with one species: S. meadi as well as partial material described as cf. S. sp. from the Late Oligocene or Early Miocene strata of the Vaqueros Formation in California. Like other ancient baleen whales, Salishicetus had teeth, and used these for either suction feeding or to catch large prey. The name refers to the Salish Sea, which it was found near, which itself honors the Salish tribes of the Pacific Northwest region.
Text in “About” is quoted from the Wikipedia article Salishicetus (revision 1359973492), 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: Q56275588.
