Although our planet has gone through countless changes over the history, some animals managed to survive it all.
These great changes affected them too, and in order to survive, they had to adapt.
We’re talking about millions of years, and they’ve seen it all. Some are even older than many civilizations and countries. How fascinating is that?
Let’s learn more about these real-life time travelers.
1. Sea Turtles
Sea turtles come in various different shapes and sizes. What made them one of the most ancient species still living today is their evolutionary success.
Their most noticeable feature is their shell, but it’s also the reason for their survival. It protected them from predators and natural disasters.
The oldest known sea turtle fossil found is considered to be 120 million years old. Can you imagine that?
Not many can brag about existing with dinosaurs. But these creatures can!
2. Alligators
The survival of alligators lies in their efficient predator skills and adaptability, making them survive what many other creatures couldn’t.
These also fall under the longest existing creatures.
It is considered that their evolution didn’t change them as much, since they pretty much look the same as they did 30 million years ago.
3. Jellyfish
Since jellyfish lack bones and other parts that easily fossilize, their fossils are hard to find.
But their simple body structure is also what made them survive for so many years. This made them less vulnerable to any environmental changes.
Be prepared, this fact will blow your mind. One of the most important discoveries was the finding of a 500 million year old fossil of a jellyfish. This proved that these are among the oldest living creatures. Wow!
4. Horseshoe Crab
This weird-looking creature, even though considered a crab, is more related to scorpions and spiders.
Their name originates from its rounded U-shaped head, also the largest part of their body.
And here’s the kicker, surviving all these years wasn’t easy. These creatures had to adapt and change to thrive to this very day.
For instance, their shell became harder by time, protecting them from predators and natural disasters.
5. Nautilus
If this isn’t an interesting look, then I don’t know what is.
Nautilus didn’t change much through history, and its power lies in its simple anatomy.
Many scientists believe that animals related to this species have existed 500 million years ago. Pretty cool, right?
Living in deep waters kept them protected and hidden from everything happening above the surface.
6. Shark
Imagine surviving millions of years and still being the toughest of them all.
Not only that, but many shark species remained almost the same to this very day.
Much of what we know about these historical creatures was learned throughout their teeth fossils, since sharks’ skeletons are made of cartilage and don’t fossilize as easily.
Some of these discoveries suggest that these teeth fossils are around 450 million years old.
7. Sponge
What if I told you that this creature is probably the oldest animal species to exist?
Yes, you’ve heard me right. Their fossils are linked to the earliest periods of Earth’s history.
Simple but unique, these creatures easily adapted to any challenge that has come their way.
Although often mistaken for plants, sponges play important roles in the ecosystem. One of their many roles is to purify water and collect bacteria.