10 Surprising Animal Pairs You Didn’t Realize Are Close Relatives

2. Whales and Hippos: A Tale of Water and Land

At first glance, whales and hippos appear to inhabit completely different worlds—one in the vast oceans, the other in African rivers and lakes. However, these seemingly disparate creatures share a surprising evolutionary kinship. Both belong to the order Cetartiodactyla, which includes even-toed ungulates and cetaceans. This connection dates back to a common ancestor that lived around 55 million years ago, a land-dwelling creature that gave rise to the diverse forms we see today. The transition from land to sea in the lineage leading to whales is one of the most remarkable evolutionary stories, showcasing the adaptability of life. Meanwhile, hippos retained their semi-aquatic lifestyle, bridging the gap between their terrestrial and aquatic relatives. This shared ancestry underscores the fluidity of evolutionary paths and the surprising directions they can take.