These animals found the dinosaur era, they witnessed the ice age and survived many less fortunate brethren.
In today's selection are presented the oldest animals living on Earth. Surprisingly, for hundreds of thousands of years, the appearance of these inhabitants of our planet has not changed.
10. The platypus
Platypuses are mammals, although they have undoubted similarities with reptiles. The age of this species of animals is about 110 million years. It is believed that the first platypuses appeared on the territory of modern South America, but then migrated to the area that became Australia over time.
9. Ant
These insects are considered the oldest on the planet. In addition, scientists have long been intrigued by the amazing intelligence of ants and their complex social organization. Over the millions of years of its history, the appearance of ants has practically not changed.
8. Golden Spider
The oldest of the spiders appeared on the planet more than 165 million years ago. Gold spinners are known for their solid web of unusual golden hue. You can meet these ancient spiders in Tanzania, South Africa and Madagascar.
7. Echidna
Echidna is related to another ancient animal - the platypus. Echidnas and prohidnids live in Australia, New Guinea and Tasmania. Unfortunately, one of the three genera of the Echidnian family has already disappeared from the face of the Earth. And proechnids are among the most rare and unusual animals of the planet.
6. Shield
This freshwater crustacean of the class of gill-footed species appeared on Earth about 230 million tapes ago. The size of the shield is from 3 to 10 cm. These creatures are still very little studied and therefore are of great interest to scientists.
5. Hatteria (tuatara)
Outwardly, this reptile resembles an iguana. The size of the hatteria does not exceed 75 cm. The age of these ancient creatures is more than 220 million years. Hatteria are very few in number and live on several small islands of New Zealand.
4. Crocodile
These reptiles appeared on Earth about 250 million years ago. Crocodiles can be called "cousins" of dinosaurs. Surprisingly, crocodiles have much in common with modern birds.
3. Coelacanth
This cysterae fish is the only surviving species among the many that lived on Earth about 300-400 million years ago. The location of the coelacanth organs is very different from modern fish, which makes it a truly unique creation.
2. Cockroach
These insects live on Earth much longer than you and I — about 320 million years. Modern science knows more than 4,500 species of cockroaches. Surprising ability to survive for the longest time without any food or water helped the cockroaches survive in the most severe periods of earthly history.
1. Neopilina
These cephalopods appeared in the oceans about 400 million years ago. A small but very hardy creature has a shell with a diameter of only 2 cm. It is curious that, unlike modern mollusks, neopilines can distinguish between the right and left sides.
