Very few species on Earth today are considered living fossils species that have survived over hundreds of millions of years remaining more or less unchanged compared to their distant ancestors The term living fossil was first coined by Charles Darwin to describe species that have persisted through time with little change The coelacanth and the horseshoe crab are often cited as classic examples of living fossils but theyre not the only ones Two land animals in particular have earned the title of ultra survivors and their stories are nothing short of astonishing
The First Ultra Survivor The Cockroach
Cockroaches are one of the most resilient and ancient species on Earth with a history that dates back over 300 million years Theyve survived four mass extinctions including the devastating Permian Triassic extinction event that wiped out over 90 of all life on Earth These creatures have been around long enough to have seen the rise and fall of the dinosaurs and have even been discovered fossilized in amber Cockroaches are able to withstand such extreme conditions due to their adaptable physiology and ability to fit into tiny crevices making them nearly indestructible
The Second Ultra Survivor The Horseshoe Crab Relative The Tardigrade
Another contender for the title of ultra survivor is the tardigrade a microscopic eight legged animal that resembles a cross between a teddy bear and a cushion This creature is incredibly resilient with the ability to withstand extreme temperatures pressures and even the vacuum of space Theyve been known to survive without food or water for over 30 years by entering a state of dormancy called cryptobiosis During this state the tardigrade reduces its metabolic activity to near zero allowing it to conserve energy and withstand extreme environments Scientists believe that tardigrades may have evolved from a common ancestor with the horseshoe crab an ancient species that dates back to the early Ordovician period around 450 million years ago