Ancient filter-feeding reptile had a freaky similarity with modern whales
SalonAn ancient creature known as Hupehsuchus nanchangensis was not a tiny whale, but a person watching it feed could be forgiven if they mistook it for one. "The snout of Hupehsuchus is highly convergent with modern baleen whales," the study concludes. "Filter feeding is a great way to acquire food because you simply engulf, filter and swallow," Benton told Salon by email. The only real downside to filter feeding is that "the food supply might be seasonal, and could be in low supply at some times of year — but that's true for everything," Benton said. We need your help to stay independent Subscribe today to support Salon's progressive journalism Cheng also noted that the new information about Hupehsuchus could shed light on more iconic animals like dinosaurs.
History of this topic
Long before whales, pioneering marine reptile was a filter-feeder
The Hindu
New fossils reveal specialized eating technique of unusual ancient marine reptile
CNN
Nature: Biologists determine how whales gulp down food underwater without drowning
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