Sharks are older than trees — they predate the first forests by 90 million years
Sharks first appeared in the fossil record approximately 450 million years ago. Trees evolved approximately 360 million years ago. This means sharks have been swimming Earth's oceans for 90 million years longer than trees have been growing on its land. Sharks have survived five mass extinction events, including the one that killed the dinosaurs. They have changed relatively little in 200 million years — making them one of evolution's most successful designs. Modern shark species look almost identical to fossils from 100 million years ago.
Trees are a background feature of terrestrial life so fundamental that they feel primordial. Finding that a swimming predator is 90 million years older than any forest on Earth restructures the mental timeline of what's 'old' on this planet.
“Sharks are 90 million years older than trees. They first appeared 450 million years ago; trees evolved 360 million years ago. Sharks have survived 5 mass extinctions and barely changed. 🦈 #OddlyHuman”