May 5, 2024, 08:44 AM IST

Oldest animal species that are still alive

Ritik Raj

Horseshoe Crab: Because of its special blue blood qualities, this marine arthropod, which has been around for more than 450 million years, is important for medical research.

Nautilus: The mantis prawn, a spiral-shelled ancient cephalopod, has been thriving in deep ocean environments for hundreds of millions of years.

Crocodile: Having lived in semi-aquatic environments for 55 million years, crocodiles are apex predators that have successfully adapted to a wide range of environments.

Dragonflies: These large-winged, ancient insects first appeared 325 million years ago. They are renowned for their exceptional aerial flexibility and hunting skills.

Goblin Shark: Known for its elongated snout and distinct jaw mechanism, this uncommon deep-sea shark species has been around for 125 million years and has hardly changed.

Coelacanth: This deep-sea fish, which was once believed to be extinct for 66 million years, was found alive and offers insight into the evolution of ancient vertebrates.

Horseshoe Shrimp: These tiny crustaceans have been living in different aquatic habitats for over 200 million years, and their carapace is shaped like a horseshoe.

Lamprey: A jawless fish with a mouth resembling a sucker, this species has survived in freshwater habitats all over the world for 360 million years.