8 of the world’s oldest living animals (one of them has been around since before dinosaurs!)

1. Horseshoe Crab – 450 Million Years Old

Scientific Name: Limulidae

Horseshoe crabs have existed since before the dinosaurs. With their hard exoskeletons and blue blood rich in copper, they have remained unchanged for nearly 450 million years. Their blood is highly valuable in medical research, as it detects bacterial contamination in vaccines and medical devices.

2. Nautilus – 500 Million Years Old

Scientific Name: Nautilidae

The nautilus, a deep-sea cephalopod, is often called a “living fossil” due to its resemblance to ancient ammonites. With its spiral shell and jet propulsion swimming, the nautilus has remained unchanged for over 500 million years.

3. Coelacanth – 400 Million Years Old

Scientific Name: Latimeria

Once thought to be extinct for 65 million years, the coelacanth was rediscovered in 1938, astonishing scientists. These deep-sea fish have lobed fins that resemble the limbs of early terrestrial vertebrates, making them crucial in understanding evolution.

4. Jellyfish – 500-700 Million Years Old

Scientific Name: Medusozoa

Jellyfish are one of the oldest known multicellular organisms, dating back at least 500-700 million years. They lack bones, a brain, and a heart, yet they have survived five mass extinctions due to their simple yet efficient biological structure.

Jellyfish are one of the oldest known multicellular organisms (Source: Pexels)

5. Triops (Tadpole Shrimp) – 300 Million Years Old

Scientific Name: Triops cancriformis

Triops, also known as tadpole shrimp, have barely changed since the Carboniferous period and can survive extreme conditions by laying drought-resistant eggs that can remain dormant for decades.

6. Sturgeon – 200 Million Years Old

Scientific Name: Acipenseridae

Sturgeons have been around for 200 million years, surviving alongside the dinosaurs. These large freshwater fish are best known for producing caviar, making them one of the most commercially valuable ancient species.

7. Tuatara – 250 Million Years Old

Scientific Name: Sphenodon

Native to New Zealand, tuataras resemble lizards but belong to a separate, ancient order called Rhynchocephalia. They have a third “parietal” eye on top of their head, a trait rare in modern reptiles.

8. Sponge – Over 600 Million Years Old

Scientific Name: Porifera

Sponges are some of the oldest animals on Earth, with fossil records dating back over 600 million years. Despite their simple body structure, they play a crucial role in marine ecosystems by filtering water and providing habitats for other organisms.