An ancient 2.5 million year old dolphin fossil was found in 2008 by a fisherman in the North Sea and is now on display at the Natural History Museum Rotterdam in the Netherlands.
A new study has named the new species of ancient balloon-headed dolphin Hoekman’s blunt-snouted dolphin, after the fisherman who pulled up the fossil, Albert Hoekman.
The ancient dolphin measured up to 20 ft. long with a short, spoon shaped snout that supported a large, high protruding forehead.
The looks and size suggest it may be a very close relative, if not a direct descendant, of modern pilot whales.
Experts believe the creatures protruding forehead may have been used for echolocation, a biological form of sonar that allows dolphins and some whales to navigate in murky conditions.
What a cool discovery!
This kind of stuff always makes us wonder what other fantastic creatures are out there!
Hopefully a fisherman pulls up the Loch Ness Monster next!