These Animals Are the Stuff of Nightmares but They Can Actually Be Found All Around Us

Who Knew Sponges Could Live This Long

The animals of the seas often seem downright alien to us land-dwellers. Some of them look so strange that we might not even guess they’re alive. Yet, the seafloor teems with diverse life forms that have existed far longer than humans. Take the giant barrel sponge, for example. Would you believe some of these sponges are thousands of years old? In fact, experts discovered one that’s an astonishing 2,300 years old

At first glance, it might just look like a big, pink rock, but imagine the history it’s witnessed. If these ancient sponges could talk, what incredible stories would they share? From surviving centuries of environmental changes to hosting countless marine species, their lives are a testament to resilience. Who knows what secrets they hold about the ocean’s past? Next time you think of the sea, remember—it’s not just water; it’s a living, breathing world full of wonders.