Living Fossils: 8 Animals from Another Time Still Alive Today (part 1)    [23-09-2011] Throughout Earth’s history, the plants, bacteria, fungi, and animals residing in it have dramatically evolved and changed through natural selection, as well as natural and man-made events. However, some animals have remained relatively the same through time. These animals are known as “living fossils” and many are older than humans and other mammals. Take a look at some of the animals that have survived through the ages nearly unchanged. Horseshoe Crab The horseshoe crab existed on Earth before the dinosaurs! It is still alive and is known as the oldest animal species still in existence. In 2008, scientists found a horseshoe crab fossil that was around 445 million years old. Tadpole Shrimp It is also one of the oldest living animal species today. The shrimp is related to the horseshoe crab. The tadpole shrimp that people see today is practically identical to a fossil of the shrimp that was found which was 200 million years old. Presently, the tadpole shrimp is listed as an endangered species. Coelacanth This fish was thought to be extinct until it was rediscovered in 1938. Only two species of coelacanth still exist today. A fossil of the fish dates it as roughly 400 million years old! Snapping Turtle Snapping turtles first walked the Earth about 400 million years ago. Over the past 215 million years, they have hardly evolved or changed. The snapping turtle is listed as a threatened species today. <To be continued next week…>     출처: 어린이 영자신문 키즈타임즈 (www.kidstimes.net)