Feb 17, 2025
Hundreds of creatures have stood the test of time and survived the evolutionary changes for millions of years by adapting to changing living conditions. These creatures are popularly known as the living fossils. Here are 10 ancient animals that still exist today
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Despite its name, this small, insect-eating mammal is related to elephants. It has existed for millions of years. It resembles rodents but belongs to a different evolutionary lineage.
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This group includes alligators, crocodiles, and caimans. These intimidating predators, having tough skins and powerful jaws, have been around for about 250 million years.
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These marine reptiles have been swimming in oceans for over 100 million years. They are known for their hard shells and remarkable long-distance migrations during their lifetimes.
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It is a large, predatory fish with a long snout and sharp teeth. This ancient fish has existed for about 100 million years and is known for its ability to live in both fresh and brackish water.
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An egg-laying mammal with a duck-like bill, webbed feet, and a beaver-like tail. The platypus has ancestors dating back around 170 million years and is a unique species.
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This marine mollusk is known for its beautiful spiral shell, and has been around for about 500 million years. It controls its buoyancy using specialised gas chambers in its shell.
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These ancient fish have been swimming in our waters for over 200 million years. Known for their elongated bodies and bony scutes, sturgeons are also valued for their caviar, which has led to their overfishing and endangerment.
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Native to New Zealand, this reptile resembles lizards but has survived for over 200 million years. It has an easily differentiable parietal eye which is often referred to as the "third eye."
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It was once thought to be extinct but this deep-sea fish was rediscovered in 1938. It has been around for over 400 million years and is popular for its unique limb-like fins.
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This ancient marine arthropod, with its hard exoskeleton and blue blood, has been living on Earth for a huge 450 million years, surviving numerous mass extinctions.
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