When you hear the term ‘prehistoric animal,’ you likely think of something that is no more. Dinosaurs. Woolly mammoths. Saber-toothed tigers. But there are many Ice Age creatures that still exist—and you might just see some of them on your next trip!
Which Ancient Animals Are Still Alive Today?
Some of these creatures you’ve probably never heard of, others you might have chanced upon, and some might seem so common you’d never suspect they’re actually Ice Age animals that still roam our planet today. While this is in no way and exhaustive list, read on to see how many you recognize.
Nautilus
Considered living fossils, nautilus are mollusks that have survived without much change for nearly 500 million years. Easily identified by their unique shell and size—along with the many tentacles emerging from the shell that help them capture prey—nautilus are mostly found in Indonesia and Australia. Sought after internationally for their shells, which are used in jewelry and home décor, there have been efforts to restrict further harm to the species and increase nautilus numbers by levying fines and deeming these creatures a protected species.
Horseshoe crab
You’ve likely heard of and perhaps even seen a horseshoe crab, but did you know that these creatures are more closely related to spiders and scorpions than to crustaceans? Fossil records show they existed for more than 445 million years, and one look at them certainly gives the impression they’ve been around a long time! Found in North America and parts of Southeast Asia, horseshoe crabs are threatened by overharvesting for human consumption in some parts of the world. They are also used as fishing bait and in some scientific research, and they are subject to habitat loss.
New Zealand Tuatara
New Zealand is pretty much your only bet if you want to chance upon a tuatara, a lizard-like animal that records indicate has existed for about 200 million years. Its skin ranges from green to gray to brown and is marked by a crest of spines going all the way down its back, right to the tip of its tail. The tuatara’s most unique feature is a third eye that typically gets covered as it approaches adulthood. Another unique feature (if you can get close enough to one to notice it) is two rows of teeth in the upper jaw and only one row in the lower jaw that fits snug between the upper rows when it closes its mouth.
Majestic sandhill cranes can be heard or seen on any of Nat Hab’s Yellowstone and Alaska summer departures!
Considering you can observe sandhill crane migrations every year in Nebraska’s Platte River region, the notion that this could be a prehistoric animal might be hard to imagine. But these elegant birds, known for their loud, trumpeting calls and the fact that they mate for life, date back more than 10 million years and appear to have remained structurally the same through all that time. Sandhill cranes also live in Siberia, Canada and other parts of the U.S., including Alaska, New Mexico, Texas, and the Southeast. There are a few subspecies, some of which are critically endangered due to habitat loss, wetland loss and development. See (and hear!) them on our Yellowstone and Alaska summer departures.
Also found in Alaska is another ancient animal: the muskox. There’s no way you can miss its distinct, long-haired figure with a hump at the shoulder and long, curved horns. Although the species is native to the state, they disappeared by the 1920s and had to be reintroduced in the 1930s via the relocation of muskox from Greenland. These Ice Age animals are known to have existed around 600,000 years ago. Now, you can also find them in Canada, Russia, Norway and Siberia. Interestingly, muskoxen are more closely related to sheep and goats than to ox. They get their name from the strong, musky odor they produce during mating season to attract females. They can live for up to 20 years in the wild and weigh anywhere between 400 and 900 pounds.
One of the first stops on Natural Habitat Adventures’ Ultimate Alaska Wildlife Safari is the Large Animal Research Station (LARS) at the University of Alaska in Fairbanks. The 134-acre homestead site was deeded to the university in 1963 to further the establishment of a domestic muskox herd. LARS has conducted in-depth research on muskox reproduction, feeding habits and behavior, and it offers seasonal tours for visitors to its campus farm. Today, there are estimated to be about 4,000 muskox in Alaska alone, and approximately 100,000 worldwide. With a stable population, they are not considered endangered, but there is legislation in place to protect the species in most areas where they are found.
Modern Threats to Ancient Animals
Climate change and the increase in human activity are threats to the survival of muskox and some of the other prehistoric species we are lucky to still find in the wild.
Overhunting once resulted in muskox going extinct in Alaska, and there are still parts of the world where muskox is consumed or killed for its fur, hide and horns. Hunting opportunities are also available in many areas, even if at a higher price tag than deer and caribou.
The change in climate causing extreme winter conditions has sometimes posed an obstacle to muskox reaching areas where they can feed. These herbivores feed primarily on moss, grass, willows and other plants found in the cold Arctic weather. When warmer temperatures come around, it results in a higher risk from parasites. Predators such as grizzly bears and wolves are also a cause for concern.
Similarly, predators such as pigs, cats, rats and mice pose a threat to New Zealand’s tuataras. Destruction of habitat is another issue, and one that particularly affects sandhill cranes.
Protecting the spaces in which these Ice Age animals live is one of the best ways to help increase or maintain their numbers. Volunteering with wildlife organizations or animal sanctuaries that provide refuge to such ancient animals to learn more about them and spread awareness on their existence is another way to help ensure they continue to thrive. And, when you travel with Nat Hab, you can be confident that you’re helping conserve wild places for animals old and new!
