Ancient Fossil of <br />Four-Legged Whale , Discovered in Egypt.<br />The BBC reports that scientists in Egypt have identified <br />a new species of four-legged whale that is believed <br />to have existed about 43 million years ago.<br />The fossil of the amphibious Phiomicetus anubis was uncovered in Egypt's Western Desert.<br />More specifically, the partial skeleton was discovered in the Fayum Depression.<br />The species was named after the ancient <br />Egyptian jackal-headed god of the dead, <br />as the skull resembles that of Anubis.<br />According to the BBC, modern whales evolved <br />from land-dwelling deer-like mammals <br />over the course of 10 million years.<br />Phiomicetus anubis is estimated to have weighed over 1300 pounds and been 10 feet in length.<br />The massive creature was able to both <br />walk on land and swim in the water.<br />It was analyzed by scientists <br />at Mansoura University.<br />Despite the area currently being a desert, <br />it was once covered by a sea and <br />now contains many fossils.<br />Despite the area currently being a desert, <br />it was once covered by a sea and <br />now contains many fossils.<br />Phiomicetus anubis is a key new <br />whale species, and a critical <br />discovery for Egyptian <br />and African paleontology, Abdullah Gohar, the study's lead author, via BBC.<br />Phiomicetus anubis is a key new <br />whale species, and a critical <br />discovery for Egyptian <br />and African paleontology, Abdullah Gohar, the study's lead author, via BBC.<br />According to the BBC, the Phiomicetus anubis <br />is believed to be the earliest type <br />of semi-aquatic whale to be discovered in Africa
