Story: Dolphins

Shark-toothed dolphin (1st of 2)

Shark-toothed dolphin

This fossil skull at Otago University’s geology museum is from a primitive shark-toothed dolphin, related to the extinct Squalodon genus. It was found in the Otekaike Limestone in the Waitaki Valley (south-eastern South Island), and is from the Late Oligocene Age, about 25 million years ago. At that time the area was a large shallow sea. The skull and jaws are framing Andrew Grebneff, who prepared the fossil.

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Geology Museum, University of Otago

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How to cite this page:

Gerard Hutching, 'Dolphins - Ancient dolphins – the fossil record', Te Ara - the Encyclopedia of New Zealand, http://www.TeAra.govt.nz/en/photograph/4691/shark-toothed-dolphin (accessed 9 May 2024)

Story by Gerard Hutching, published 12 Jun 2006, updated 1 Sep 2015