Uploaded August 2019 | Updated September 2026, 2 weeks ago
Strange ancient animals still alive today! From sea-faring relics to ancient amphibians.
#12 Solenodon [73 M.Y.A.]
The shrew-faced Solenodon is a small, venomous mammal that hails from the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Haiti. In addition to being a critter uniquely endemic to these islands, solenodons possess a few interesting traits. They are one of the few venomous mammals in the world, and also possess a flexible snout thanks to a shoulder-like joint in their face. To top it off, these furry varmints have been around for more than 73 million years!
#11 Cassowary [80 M.Y.A.]
Possibly the closest thing to a modern dinosaur, the Cassowary towers over most other birds at five to six feet on average. It’s massive raptor-like claws, hard crown, and vibrant coloration all make this avian monster seem like something you’d see in a Jurassic Park film. Which actually makes sense given cassowaries have been around for the last 80 million years. Native to Australia and New Guinea, cassowaries hide deep within the rainforests of the region. Typically shy, the large birds will avoid human contact, but be mindful of getting too close. In addition to your own safety, steering clear of cassowaries is also in their best interest as the species is endangered due mostly to the native public. Motor vehicles were reported to account for 55 percent of cassowary fatalities in a 2006 study, and as such people have since been discouraged from engaging with the species so as to keep them away from populated areas.
#10 Giant Freshwater Stingray [100 M.Y.A.]
Cruising through the rivers and estuaries of Borneo and Indochina is a thirteen hundred pound, six foot wide, 100 million year old monster. Known as the Giant Freshwater Stingray, this massive relative to sharks and saltwater kin of the same name is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. This fish, like other rays, is disc shaped with a serrated spine at the base of its tail, which is long and whiplike. Scientists believe this big fish once roamed the waters across all of Southeast Asia, though a number of hazards have led to its isolated location. With the development of human settlements and the resulting structures to support them, giant freshwater stingrays have suffered from extensive habitat degradation. Deforestation and dams are major issues for the creature, but so is fishing, where the stingrays are caught for food, sport, or public display in aquariums. In the past 20 to 30 years, regions endemic to this fish have seen its population drop from anywhere between 30 and 95 percent!
Strange ancient animals still alive today! From sea-faring relics to ancient amphibians.
#12 Solenodon [73 M.Y.A.]
The shrew-faced Solenodon is a small, venomous mammal that hails from the Caribbean islands of Cuba and Haiti. In addition to being a critter uniquely endemic to these islands, solenodons possess a few interesting traits. They are one of the few venomous mammals in the world, and also possess a flexible snout thanks to a shoulder-like joint in their face. To top it off, these furry varmints have been around for more than 73 million years!
#11 Cassowary [80 M.Y.A.]
Possibly the closest thing to a modern dinosaur, the Cassowary towers over most other birds at five to six feet on average. It’s massive raptor-like claws, hard crown, and vibrant coloration all make this avian monster seem like something you’d see in a Jurassic Park film. Which actually makes sense given cassowaries have been around for the last 80 million years. Native to Australia and New Guinea, cassowaries hide deep within the rainforests of the region. Typically shy, the large birds will avoid human contact, but be mindful of getting too close. In addition to your own safety, steering clear of cassowaries is also in their best interest as the species is endangered due mostly to the native public. Motor vehicles were reported to account for 55 percent of cassowary fatalities in a 2006 study, and as such people have since been discouraged from engaging with the species so as to keep them away from populated areas.
#10 Giant Freshwater Stingray [100 M.Y.A.]
Cruising through the rivers and estuaries of Borneo and Indochina is a thirteen hundred pound, six foot wide, 100 million year old monster. Known as the Giant Freshwater Stingray, this massive relative to sharks and saltwater kin of the same name is one of the largest freshwater fish in the world. This fish, like other rays, is disc shaped with a serrated spine at the base of its tail, which is long and whiplike. Scientists believe this big fish once roamed the waters across all of Southeast Asia, though a number of hazards have led to its isolated location. With the development of human settlements and the resulting structures to support them, giant freshwater stingrays have suffered from extensive habitat degradation. Deforestation and dams are major issues for the creature, but so is fishing, where the stingrays are caught for food, sport, or public display in aquariums. In the past 20 to 30 years, regions endemic to this fish have seen its population drop from anywhere between 30 and 95 percent!
