Tohoraata facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Tohoraata |
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Scientific classification  |
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| Kingdom: | Animalia |
| Phylum: | Chordata |
| Class: | Mammalia |
| Order: | Artiodactyla |
| Infraorder: | Cetacea |
| Family: | †Eomysticetidae |
| Genus: | †Tohoraata Boessenecker and Fordyce, 2014 |
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Tohoraata is an ancient type of baleen whale that lived a long, long time ago. These whales swam in the oceans around New Zealand during the Late Oligocene period. That was about 27 to 25 million years ago! There are two known kinds, or species, of Tohoraata: T. raekohao and T. waitakiensis.
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Discovering Tohoraata
Scientists learn about ancient animals like Tohoraata by studying their fossils. Fossils are the preserved remains or traces of living things from the past.
What Kind of Whale Was It?
Tohoraata belongs to a group of early baleen whales called Eomysticetidae. These were some of the first whales to have baleen instead of teeth. Baleen is like a giant filter in their mouths. It helps them strain tiny food, like krill, from the ocean water.
Where Did Tohoraata Live?
The fossils of Tohoraata have been found in New Zealand. This tells us that these ancient whales lived in the waters around that area millions of years ago. The rocks where their fossils were found, like the Otekaike Limestone and Kokoamu Greensand, help scientists figure out when they lived.
How Do We Know About Tohoraata?
Scientists have found different fossils that help us understand Tohoraata.
- The first species, T. raekohao, was identified from a fossil called OU 22178. This fossil included part of a skull, a back bone, and five ribs. It was found in a place called the Maerewhenua Member.
- The second species, T. waitakiensis, is known from a fossil called OMC GL 402. This fossil included part of a skull and five neck bones. It was found in the Kokoamu Greensand.
T. waitakiensis was first thought to be a different type of whale. But later, scientists realized it was more closely related to other early baleen whales like Eomysticetus and Yamatocetus.
What Made Tohoraata Special?
Tohoraata had some unique features that set it apart from other early baleen whales.
- One special feature was the shape of a bone at the back of its skull. It pointed outwards and backwards.
- The two species of Tohoraata also had slightly different ear bones.
- Compared to some other early whales, Tohoraata had many small holes in the bones of its forehead. These tiny holes might have been for nerves or blood vessels.
