Oldest LIVING Fossils Around The World!
- 6 years ago
Check out the oldest living fossils around the world! From prehistoric animals descending from dinosaurs to rare a creatures that are still alive, this top 10 list of oldest wildlife is amazing!
10. Aardvark
The aardvark is a perfect example of a living fossil. It’s a totally unique mammal and has remained unchanged for millions of years. Also known as “oryc-ter-opus afer” the word ‘aardvark’ comes from the Afrikaan language in South Africa. It means “earth pig” or “ground pig”.
The solitary creature’s strong senses of smell and hearing make it an excellent hunter on open grassland. It has a long nose which it uses to sniff out termites and ants. That combined with its tough hide, big claws and long sticky tongue means this critter creates a big headache for any insects crossing its path. The aardvark emerges at night from a burrow. They’re great burrowers and can dig a shelter for themselves surprisingly quickly with their claws.
Those claws come in really handy when tucking into a termite burrow. The aardvark sticks its 1.5 foot (0.46 m) tongue in the hole and licks out the unlucky inhabitants. It has a strong tail which can be used to brace itself as it feeds. The tail can also be used as a club. The aardvark is a highly specialized animal that has all kinds of talents!
9. Red Panda
Everyone loves the giant black and white panda. But did you know this isn’t the original? The word ‘panda’ was first used to describe this little fella in 1825 by Frédéric Cuvier, a zoologist from France. Its other, less catchy title is ‘Ail-urus ful-gens’ which means “fire-colored cat” even though it isn’t a cat. It actually has its own family name, ‘Ailuridae’. Fossils of the red panda have been discovered that are up to 4 million years old! You wouldn’t think that such a cute critter existed that long ago!
The red panda lives in Asia at high altitude in trees and mountains and has fur the colour of cinnamon. Isn’t it cute?? They’re small and are generally as big as a house cat, between 30-50 inches long (76cm-127cm). Like the giant panda, its diet consists mostly of bamboo and maybe some other small birds and rodents every now and then for some protein. Another similarity is the prominent wrist bone which can be used like a thumb to grip stuff. Its long claws help it hold onto tree bark and a long tail helps it balance. You need a good sense of balance when you’re so high up!
The face markings on a red panda are called “tear tracks” which is appropriate as the panda is on the endangered species list. Deforestation has spelled disaster for its habitat. Because bamboo is disappearing it means the red panda could too. It has to eat between 1-2 kg (2-4 lbs) of bamboo to survive. That’s 20-30% of its own body weight! Hunting and poachers have also greatly affected the red panda population.
10. Aardvark
The aardvark is a perfect example of a living fossil. It’s a totally unique mammal and has remained unchanged for millions of years. Also known as “oryc-ter-opus afer” the word ‘aardvark’ comes from the Afrikaan language in South Africa. It means “earth pig” or “ground pig”.
The solitary creature’s strong senses of smell and hearing make it an excellent hunter on open grassland. It has a long nose which it uses to sniff out termites and ants. That combined with its tough hide, big claws and long sticky tongue means this critter creates a big headache for any insects crossing its path. The aardvark emerges at night from a burrow. They’re great burrowers and can dig a shelter for themselves surprisingly quickly with their claws.
Those claws come in really handy when tucking into a termite burrow. The aardvark sticks its 1.5 foot (0.46 m) tongue in the hole and licks out the unlucky inhabitants. It has a strong tail which can be used to brace itself as it feeds. The tail can also be used as a club. The aardvark is a highly specialized animal that has all kinds of talents!
9. Red Panda
Everyone loves the giant black and white panda. But did you know this isn’t the original? The word ‘panda’ was first used to describe this little fella in 1825 by Frédéric Cuvier, a zoologist from France. Its other, less catchy title is ‘Ail-urus ful-gens’ which means “fire-colored cat” even though it isn’t a cat. It actually has its own family name, ‘Ailuridae’. Fossils of the red panda have been discovered that are up to 4 million years old! You wouldn’t think that such a cute critter existed that long ago!
The red panda lives in Asia at high altitude in trees and mountains and has fur the colour of cinnamon. Isn’t it cute?? They’re small and are generally as big as a house cat, between 30-50 inches long (76cm-127cm). Like the giant panda, its diet consists mostly of bamboo and maybe some other small birds and rodents every now and then for some protein. Another similarity is the prominent wrist bone which can be used like a thumb to grip stuff. Its long claws help it hold onto tree bark and a long tail helps it balance. You need a good sense of balance when you’re so high up!
The face markings on a red panda are called “tear tracks” which is appropriate as the panda is on the endangered species list. Deforestation has spelled disaster for its habitat. Because bamboo is disappearing it means the red panda could too. It has to eat between 1-2 kg (2-4 lbs) of bamboo to survive. That’s 20-30% of its own body weight! Hunting and poachers have also greatly affected the red panda population.