List of extinct cetaceans


The list of extinct cetaceans features the extinct genera and species of the order Cetacea. The cetaceans are descendants of land-living mammals, the even-toed ungulates. The earliest cetaceans were still hoofed mammals. These early cetaceans became gradually better adapted for swimming than for walking on land, finally evolving into fully marine cetaceans.
This list currently includes only fossil genera and species. However, the Atlantic population of gray whales became extinct in the 18th century, and the baiji was declared "functionally extinct" after an expedition in late 2006 failed to find any in the Yangtze River.

Suborder [Archaeoceti]

Family [Ambulocetidae]

reconstruction
 skeleton in front and Pakicetus behind
 reconstruction

Family [Aetiocetidae]

restoration

Family ''[incertae sedis]''

Family Cetotheriopsidae">Cetotheriopsis">Cetotheriopsidae
Family [Balaenidae]
Classification follows Steeman unless otherwise noted.
restoration

Basal forms

Family Agorophiidae">Agorophius">Agorophiidae

Family [Dalpiazinidae]

Family [Kogiidae]

Family [Argyrocetidae]

& Eurhinodelphis

Family [Platanistidae]

Family [Ziphiidae]

Family [Kentriodontidae]

reconstruction
Family [Albireonidae]
reconstruction
Family [Lipotidae]