Approximately how long ago did the earliest true pinnipeds begin their transition to sea life?

Answer

25 to 30 million years ago

The initial evolutionary phase marking the commencement of the amphibious lifestyle for the ancestors of modern seals, sea lions, and walruses occurred roughly between 25 and 30 million years ago. These proto-pinnipeds were likely adapted to coastal environments, retaining characteristics of land-dwelling, otter-like carnivores but beginning to utilize flipper-like paws for swimming. This timeline sets the stage for the subsequent diversification of the pinniped order, including the early departure of the walrus stem lineage into its own marine ecological niche, predating the cooling events that would later concentrate the Odobenids in the Arctic.

Approximately how long ago did the earliest true pinnipeds begin their transition to sea life?

#Videos

The Evolution of Seals, Sea Lions, and Walruses - YouTube

How the Walrus Got Its Tusks - YouTube

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