Well, the nose-on-to-of-head isn’t the only solution. All the other airbreathing water animals (seals, penguins, turtles, sea snakes, alligators, etc.) still have their nostrils in the front of their faces. But as I think about it, the whales are the only ones that truly spend all of their time in the water. All the rest are able to leave the water, even if for some it’s only to lay their eggs. Maybe that’s what drove them to a evolve a more specific nostril placement?
Well, the nose-on-to-of-head isn’t the only solution. All the other airbreathing water animals (seals, penguins, turtles, sea snakes, alligators, etc.) still have their nostrils in the front of their faces. But as I think about it, the whales are the only ones that truly spend all of their time in the water. All the rest are able to leave the water, even if for some it’s only to lay their eggs. Maybe that’s what drove them to a evolve a more specific nostril placement?