While not as big as their cousin Basilosaurus, Dorudon was still a formidable predator. Living in pods similar to dolphins or small whales, Dorudon patrolled the seas, feeding on fish and even sharks. However, Dorudon had to be wary of their large cousins, as they fed on their young.

Basic info

Meaning of name: Dorudon means "spear tooth".

Time of existence: Dorudon lived in the late Eocene, 40.4 million to 33.9 million years ago.

Diet: Dorudon was a carnivore, and fed on fish, squid, and even sharks.

Threats: Dorudon's primary predator was its larger cousin Basilosaurus, which fed on its young, but also possibly even fed upon adults.

A Dorudon about to be eaten by a Basilosaurus

Size: Dorudon grew up to 16 feet long.

Attributes: Like Basilosaurus, Dorudon did not have a blowhole, and instead breathed through its nostrils. They also had sharp teeth that allowed it to feed on prey and tear them apart. They also had very strong muscles that helped them swim, and their streamlined shape allowed for fast maneuvering. They also most likely calved in remote lagoons.

A Dorudon with a calf

Appearances in the Walking with... series

Walking with Beasts

Dorudon is briefly seen in the opening, where one is attacked by a Basilosaurus as another flees in the background.

Dorudon in the opening

Episode 1-New Dawn

Dorudon makes three appearances in the credits of the episode, first seen fleeing from a Basilosaurus, then seen watching a Basilosaurus swim away, and then a pair being attacked by a Basilosaurus.

Episode 2-Whale Killer

Despite its limited amount of screentime, Dorudon plays a pivotal role in the episode. A few Dorudon are first seen jumping out of the water, revealing a pod of them. As they jump and swim, they vocalize to each other. They are preparing to calve. However, the female Basilosaurus is a problem, and the Dorudon begin to mob her, using their numbers to drive her away. It seems to work, and the Dorudon head to the lagoon where they will calve.

Three Dorudon leaping out of the water

The Dorudon are seen gathering in the lagoon, swimming around and vocalizing as they protect their calves. When the female Basilosaurus arrives, the adults shelter the calves and begin to ram into her to drive her off. Surprisingly, it seems to work, as the Basilosaurus moves away. One Dorudon is seen taking a breath, and they continue swimming. However, the Basilosaurus returns, and this time, the Dorudon cannot drive her off, and instead work to shelter their calves. However, as the whales flee over the course of the next few days, the Basilosaurus gobbles up multiple calves, turning the lagoon into a bloodbath. While most of the calves survive, the Basilosaurus eats enough to save her own calf, and moves on.

Chased by Sea Monsters

Episode 2-Into the Jaws of Death

Dorudon plays a very minor role in the Eocene segment of the episode. As Nigel dives into the lagoon of a mangrove, a group of Dorudon arrive to investigate him, swimming around him, with Nigel alluding to searching for a whale that eats them for breakfast.

Dorudon in Chased by Sea Monsters