Qaisracetus

Kwai-rah-ce-tus.

one of the earliest whales

By Benjamin Gutierrez
Updated on

Reviewed by Benjamin Gutierrez

Benjamin Gutierrez

Vertebrate Paleontologist

Benjamin Gutierrez is a leading expert on dinosaurs, particularly the mighty theropods. His fieldwork in South America has uncovered new species and provided insights into dinosaur social structures.

Benjamin Gutierrez

Benjamin Gutierrez is a leading expert on dinosaurs, particularly the mighty theropods. His fieldwork in South America has uncovered new species and provided insights into dinosaur social structures.

Cite Feedback Print

Cite This Article

Gutierrez, B. (2013, January 23). Qaisracetus. Prehistoric-wildlife. https://www.prehistoric-wildlife.com/species/qaisracetus/

copy

Name

Qaisracetus(Qaisra whale).

Phonetic

Kwai-rah-ce-tus.

Named By

P. D. Gingerich et al - 2001.

Classification

Chordta, Mammalia, Cetacea,Archaeoceti, Protocetidae, Protocetinae.

Diet

Carnivore.

Species

Q. arifi (type)

Size

Total length uncertain. Skull is 65centimetres long.

Known locations

Pakistan, Domanda Formation.

Time Period

Lutetian of the Eocene.

Fossil representation

Several specimens of partialremains.

In Depth

       Qaisracetus was one of the earliest whales. Analysis of the skull suggests that it was a carnivore similar in lifestyle to other predatory prehistoric whales.

Further Reading

  • Eocene stratrigraphy and archaeocete whales (Mammalia, Cetacea) of Drug Lahar in the eastern Sulaiman range, Balochistan (Pakistan). Contributions from the Museum of Paleontology, University of Michigan 30(11):269-319. – P. D. Gingerich, M. Ul-Haq, I. H. Khan & I. S. Zalmout – 2001.
Adopt A Species
prehistoric-wildlife new logo

Love this species?

Adopt it today!

(UPDATED!)

Learn More

SPECIES SPOTLIGHT

© 2025 Prehistoric-Wildlife, All Rights Reserved

The information here is completely free for your own study and research purposes, but please don't copy the articles word for word and claim them as your own work. The world of prehistory is constantly changing with the advent of new discoveries, and its best if you use this information as a jumping off point for your own research.