Evolution
is the inevitable course of nature, not a single animal on this earth that does not struggle to survive. In the end, some animals got extinct only a few lucky ones thrive today successfully. Many species of these living fossils differ significantly from their prehistoric counterparts, here we discuss top survivors of the animal kingdom
1. Jellyfish
these jellies are beautiful brightly colored creatures there skeleton is devoid of bones and 90% composed of water but successfully managed to be alive approximately they thrive on the earth about 600 to 700 million years without heart and brain its uncanny.
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| moon jellies Aurelia aurita |
nautilus is a mollusk belong to a diverse group of cephalopods. they live in freshwater and few species are terrestrial commonly inhabitants of Indian and Pacific oceans near coral reefs. Having survived relatively unchanged for millions of years nautilus have a chambered body animal can retract back into coil shell if needed.
Nautilus swims about the ocean using jet propulsion. the body of animal have tentacles that play a role in both feeding and defense. fossil record demonstrates they have survived 500 million years without a single modification that's why they are known as the oldest member of shellfish family
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| Nautilidae |
3. Tuatara
tuatara are lizards endemic to New Zealand. they are grey, brown or greenish depends upon there habitat tuatara are unique they have third (parietal eye) usually not present in other reptiles they can detect light and seasonal changes. They can live up to 100 years in the wild and have survived for nearly 200 million. but they are still near extinction due to habitat loss and climate change
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| Sphenodon |
4. sturgeon
Sturgeons are freshwater giants have greenish-grey coloring and a pointed snout their body is long sleek and bony plates are present on each side. sturgeon does not evolve much they retain most of the primitive traits. the lifespan of sturgeon is extremely long that's why they are also referred to as primitive fishes. sturgeon fish appeared in the fossil record about 200 million years ago. sturgeon is of great value even today primarily as a source of caviar and food
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| Acipenseridae |
5. lampreys
lampreys belong to the ancient lineage of jawless fish they look so much like eels there body is straight elongated can reach up to 20 inches. the mouth contains suckers which aid them to suck blood and body fluids of other fishes. From their lake or sea habitats, they migrate up rivers to spawn The oldest lamprey fossil found in South Africa dates back to some 360 million years ago.
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| Petromyzontiformes |
6. tadpole shrimp
tadpole shrimp is a small freshwater crustacean that resembles a horseshoe crab they mostly live in the seasonal brackish freshwater pool. they are bestowed with unique abilities like growth rate which is very fast eggs are resistant to extreme conditions and able to survive for 27 years these animals are prehistoric omnivores feeders they existed about 220 million years ago at the time when dinosaurs still roamed on earth
7. sandhill crane
is a species commonly found in extreme northeastern Siberia and North America it's a freshwater wetland bird. they are social birds who usually live in pairs and family groups. these birds are mainly herbivores body is covered in grey-brown feathers having short tails females typically lay eggs but both partners incubate. according to the fossil record, one of their species is 10 million years old
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| Grus Canadensis |
8. giant Chinese salamander
this amphibian is native to rocky mountains, lakes, and streams in China it's one of the largest amphibians that can reach up to 1.8m in length. it has a cylindrically shaped body with a round wide head skin is dark brown and black with blotches its porous animal breathe through its skin. it has very poor eyesight they mainly feed via sensory vibration that runs along the length of their body cannibalism is quite common in them. it has been reported that they can live up to 80 years. Fossils of this family date back to 65 million years ago
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| Andrias Davidianus. |
9. crocodilians
Archosaurs are reptiles that include birds, ancient crocodiles, and dinosaurs. crocodiles are the largest semiaquatic reptiles endemic to Asia, Africa, America, and Australia. they have got the reputation of ferocious predator their jaw bite is stronger than any living predator on earth. crocodile skin is thick coarse and strongly built that even a bullet cannot pass through while the underside skin is fragile. 65 million years ago crocodiles survived the asteroid that wiped out the dinosaur species because they colonize freshwater habitats Having arisen some 200 million years ago, they have outlived the dinosaurs by some 65 million years
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| Crocodylinae |
10. vampire shark
another name of the goblin shark is vampire shark due to its strange appearance and a fact they avoid light by living deep in the sea. it is not related to any other living shark. the goblin shark is not a threat to humans because of their bad eyesight and poor swimming skills. the body of an animal is long with taper head and jaws have razor-sharp teeth. another longest living vertebrate on the planet is none other than Greenland shark they are 300- 500 million years old make them the world's most ancient shark
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