Living with an old fossil
No! It isn't me. 
We have just discovered that there is an animal living in this country which has remained unchanged for hundreds of millions of years. It is 'Triops' otherwise known as the 'Tadpole Shrimp'.
Amanda, being a biologist, was particularly surprised that she didn't know of it. It does look rather cute, a bit like a 4 inch long Horseshoe Crab.
The Horseshoe crab, as you probably know, is found along the coasts of America and Asia and can grow up to 24 inches long. These also have remained unchanged for hundreds of millions of years.
Triops occurs in Japan, Middle East and Europe and in only two places in Britain, one being in South-West Scotland and the other in Hampshire. It is an endangered species and is protected by law. Unlike the Horseshoe Crab it is not a coastal species but lives in boggy wetlands.
One lives and learns. I can see another trip to Hampshire sometime in the future. 
2 thoughts on “Living with an old fossil”
We see horseshoe crabs all the time. Does this shrimp have a hard shell like the horseshoe?
Make sure you let the little fellow know when you are going to Hampshire. It would be a shame if they are on vacation.
Annecyborn(Quote)
Yes it does. You can see it in the picture.
Just in case it does go on holiday I’ll send it an email first.
Barry(Quote)