Fossil Parrots, Earthworms, and Beavers?

Did you know the fossil record is full of regular creatures we still find today?

In the so-called “dinosaur” rock layers, we find starfish, earthworms, and corals alongside sharks, salmon, and herring. In other dinosaur layers, beavers, hedgehogs, squirrels, and boa constrictors are found with parrots, loons, penguins, and owls.

Most people have no idea these fossils exist, but they’re a big challenge to evolutionary ideas. If environments were constantly changing over millions of years, shouldn’t these animals have evolved? Instead, we find organisms just like they are today—not much has changed!

Dig Deeper

• Fossil Record Evolution: Any Transitional Forms?
• Completeness of the Fossil Record