39 million-year-old extinct whale ‘may be heaviest animal that ever lived’

The heaviest animal that ever lived may be an ancient whale species, named Perucetus colossus by scientists, which swam in the oceans around 39 million years ago (Alberto Gennari/PA)

The heaviest animal that ever lived may be an ancient whale species which swam in the oceans around 39 million years ago, scientists believe.

Researchers analysed the remains of a partial skeleton – featuring 13 vertebrae, four ribs and one hip bone – that was uncovered 13 years ago in the Ica desert on the southern coast of Peru.