▲This cephalopod does look like a fossil, and indeed it is a living one. About 500 million years is how long these creatures have been around for.

▲This is not your ordinary clam. These marine animals have been in our waters for 500 million years.

▲Yes, they do resemble a household sponge. It's estimated that these have been on our planet for at least 500 million years.

▲Also known as comb jellies, these are not your average jellyfish. They're among the most ancient creatures on earth: about 525 million years old, to be more precise.

▲As the name suggests, these creatures possess velveteen skin. They've been crawling around our planet for at least 500 million years.

▲These gelatinous creatures don't have brains, bones, or hearts, but have managed to survive for 500 million years.

▲One of the oldest species of shrimp on our planet, these crustaceans have been in our waters for 250 million years.

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These truly remarkable creatures have been here for at least 3.5 billion years! It's almost unimaginable.

▲This arthropod is old⁠—very old. The species dates back 450 million years ago.

▲They might be slow, but they've managed to win the race against extinction. Not many species have been around for 200 million years!

▲Like other animals on this list, these turtles have rubbed shoulders with dinosaurs. They've been on earth for approximately 110 million years.

▲An incredible 200 million years is how long these little fellows have been in New Zealand.

▲With barbels that look like whiskers, this big fish has swam in our planet's waters for about 200 million years.

▲Bees have been buzzing around for 100 million years. Let's hope they continue sticking around!

▲This egg-laying mammal is native to Australia. It's believed that they have been on our planet for 110 million years.

▲These creatures can reach 5 m (16.5 ft) long and weigh up to 600 kg (1,320 lb). They've been around for about 60 million years.

▲Cockroaches have outlived dinosaurs, and continue to thrive after 250 million years.

▲Unlike most sharks, the cow shark has six gills instead of five. They've been roaming our oceans for at least 60 million years.

▲These parasitic insects have been tormenting humans for millennia. But they've been around for much longer: about 20 million years.

▲Most of the birds on our planet have been around for about 1.8 million years. Sandhill cranes, however, have been here for 10 million years and counting.

▲These cute spiky mammals have been around for an estimated 50 million years.

▲You've probably noticed that crocs look a whole lot like dinosaurs. The difference is that these reptiles have managed to survive for approximately 55 million years.

▲Previously believed to have gone extinct millions of years ago, this fish has actually survived for 400 million years.

▲These prehistoric, odd-looking creatures have been swimming deep in our waters for about 125 million years.

▲Contrary to what the name might suggest, these creatures are actually crustaceans. The species has survived for at least 220 million years.

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With one of the most terrifying mouths in our waters, these snake-like creatures have been around for over 360 million years.

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Despite the name, this is actually a ratfish and not a shark. They've been around for about 400 million years.

▲Life on earth has gone through a number of extinction periods, but somehow many species have managed to survive and thrive to this day. These animals have been on our planet for millions of years and will likely outlive humans in the future. Curious to find out more about these living fossils? Click through!

The oldest animals on our planet

Some of these creatures have been on earth for billions of years

16/10/24 por StarsInsider

LIFESTYLE Life

Life on earth has gone through a number of extinction periods, but somehow many species have managed to survive and thrive to this day. These animals have been on our planet for millions of years and will likely outlive humans in the future. Curious to find out more about these living fossils? Click through!