15 Ancient Creatures Still Alive: Unveiling Earth's Prehistoric Survivors

🦢Sandhill cranes have been in existence for 10 million years, evolving and surviving through various geological shifts.

🦈The frilled shark has hardly changed in appearance in the 80 million years of its existence and is considered a living fossil.

🦎The Chinese giant salamander, the largest amphibian in the world, evolved over 170 million years ago and is currently critically endangered.

🐖Tapirs, related to horses and rhinoceros, have remained relatively unchanged for over 20 million years.

🦀Horseshoe crabs, dating back 300 million years, have nine eyes and are more closely related to spiders and scorpions.

How do sandhill cranes survive extinction?

—Sandhill cranes have survived extinction through evolutionary adaptation and their ability to thrive in open habitats.

Why are frilled sharks considered living fossils?

—Frilled sharks have hardly changed in appearance since their existence 80 million years ago, making them living examples of ancient species.

What is the status of the Chinese giant salamander?

—The Chinese giant salamander is currently critically endangered due to habitat loss and over-exploitation for food and traditional medicines.

How long have tapirs been roaming the earth?

—Tapirs have been roaming the earth for over 20 million years, making them one of the oldest living creatures.

What makes horseshoe crabs special?

—Horseshoe crabs have been swimming in the earth's waters for over 300 million years and are more closely related to spiders and scorpions.

00:00Introduction to 15 ancient creatures that have managed to survive for millions of years.

00:20Sandhill cranes, with a existence of 10 million years, have evolved and survived through various geological shifts.

01:52The frilled shark has hardly changed in appearance over the 80 million years of its existence and is considered a living fossil.

03:29The Chinese giant salamander, the largest amphibian in the world, evolved over 170 million years ago and is currently critically endangered.

04:59Tapirs, related to horses and rhinoceros, have remained relatively unchanged for over 20 million years.

06:25Horseshoe crabs, dating back 300 million years, have nine eyes and are more closely related to spiders and scorpions.

09:59The tadpole shrimp has been in existence for at least 220 million years, making it one of the oldest living creatures.

11:29The twatara, found only in New Zealand, is another ancient creature that has managed to survive for millions of years.