about the size of a raccoon or domestic cat, this herbivorous creature shared some of the traits of whales. it also showed signs of adaptations to aquatic life, including a thick and heavy outer bone coating. this is similar to the bones of modern creatures such as the hippopotamus, and reduces buoyancy so that they can stay underwater. this suggests a similar survival strategy to the african mousedeer or water chevrotain which, when threatened by a bird of prey, dives into water and hides beneath the surface for up to four minutes.