Question

What do scientists think about the common ancestor of whales and hippos?(1 point) Responses The animal had two limbs. The animal had two limbs. The animal lived millions of years ago. The animal lived millions of years ago. The animal lived in water. The animal lived in water. The animal is still alive today.

Answer 1

Scientists believe that the common ancestor of whales and hippos was a terrestrial mammal that lived millions of years ago. This ancestor likely had four limbs and spent time in both aquatic and terrestrial environments. The ancestor is not still alive today; it existed in the past before the evolutionary split that led to modern whales and hippos. So, from the options provided, "The animal lived millions of years ago" and "The animal had two limbs" (which would be incorrect; it likely had four) are the closest ideas that scientists agree on, but the emphasis should be on its ancient existence and the fact that it went through significant evolutionary changes over time.