 The foot structure of Rodhocetus shows that protocetids were predominantly aquatic . A 2001 study done by Gingerich et al. hypothesized that Rodhocetus locomoted in the oceanic environment similarly to how ambulocetids pelvic paddling , which was supplemented by caudal undulation . Terrestrial locomotion of Rodhocetus was very limited due to their hindlimb structure . It is thought that they moved in a way similar to how eared seals move on land , by rotating their hind flippers forward and underneath their body . 
