Dinosaurs still walk the Earth

PONDS around the town of Alcublas (Los Serranos, Valencia) are home to a prehistoric species of crustacean.

Known as the ‘Triops Cancriformis', the crab-like creature is the oldest known organism inhabiting the planet, with its appearance being set at more than 220 million years ago (Triassic period) with no significant biological alterations to this day.

The crustaceans feed on plankton, insect larvae, worms and tadpoles, sometimes resorting to cannibalism against weaker specimens.

They only live for a maximum of a month and-a-half, and are perfectly adapted to drought conditions. Their eggs can withstand strong freezes in the winter, and the females can reproduce by themselves without the collaboration of males - which are reportedly often very scarce.

The discovery of the curious crustaceans was made possible due to a region-wide study and restoration project of delicate ecosystems throughout the three provinces.

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