Some people mistakenly believe that the ancient animal world is limited to extinct dinosaurs and mammoths. But this is far from the case. In fact, it is much more diverse: the Earth was inhabited by millions of creatures, most of which have long been turned into fossils, but not all. Currently, you can still observe some old-timers, whose genus is hundreds of millions of years old.
Instructions
Step 1
Cockroaches
These are the oldest insects living on Earth. They appeared about 320 million years ago. Currently, entomologists count more than 4, 5 thousand species of these insects. The most famous species of cockroaches are red domestic and huge Madagascar. Paleontologists have made a discovery: the fossil remains of cockroaches are the most numerous among the insects that have been found in Paleozoic sediments.
Step 2
Ants
This is not only the most numerous order among insects, but also the oldest after cockroaches. According to scientists, the first ants appeared on Earth about 255 million years ago. Their physiological characteristics are almost perfectly adapted to the constantly changing environment. That is why these insects have existed for several million years in their almost original form. Ants can be found literally everywhere. Modern zoology has already described more than 15 thousand species of these ancient insects, each of which is endowed with its own characteristics in appearance, in the structure of the body, in the way of life.
Step 3
Crocodiles
These are some of the most ancient reptiles. Archaeologists and paleontologists are sure that these reptiles appeared 250 million years ago. It is worth noting that these reptiles look no less frightening than their "comrades-in-arms", the dinosaurs, looked. In addition, crocodiles are owners of incredibly durable and beautiful skin, the quality of which was appreciated by the ancient tribes of warriors: shields were covered with crocodile skin, and armor was made from it.
Step 4
Tuatara
This is a special type of reptile that is considered to be truly ancient. The tuatara is the only modern representative of the most ancient order of beak-headed reptiles. Outwardly, it resembles an ordinary iguana: a powerful ridge formed by triangular scales grows along the entire back and tail. It should be noted that the appearance of this "old woman" has not changed for over 200 million years.
Step 5
Platypuses
This is the only mammal belonging to the same modern family - the platypuses. The platypus is one of the oldest living creatures on Earth. In addition, this animal is the only oviparous mammal along with the spiteful oviparous mammal. It is estimated that platypuses have been living for over 110 million years. In addition, during this time they practically did not change, except that they became larger. Scientists have established, and this is considered a reliable fact, that platypuses used to inhabit South America, but after some time they swam to Australia, where they live to this day.
