Titans of the Deep

Over 50 million years ago, the forebears of whales and other cetaceans made the remarkable transition to an oceanic lifestyle. At first glance, this shift might appear regressive—how could a mammal manage to breathe, give birth, nurse its offspring, sleep, and find food beneath the waves? Yet, against the odds, they thrived in the depths of the world’s oceans. To adapt, they created enigmatic forms of communication and innovative hunting strategies that allowed them to flourish in their new environment.