A keen nature lover and tourist captured incredible footage of “living fossils” – a rare crustacean that is one of the oldest creatures on the planet.
Known as the Triops, these swimmers are actually tadpole shrimp that have likely inhabited our planet for hundreds of millions of years.
The Triops are thought to have originated in the former supercontinent Gondwana, as suggested by numerous fossils of the species found in millions of years old rocks.
In this clip obtained by Newsflash from Adar Leibovitch, 29, it can be seen that Triops still peacefully roam the shallow waters of the massively popular rock formation – The Wave – in the US state of Arizona.
Adar, a computer engineer and Israel native, told Newsflash in an interview his remote work life has allowed him to move all the way to America, and soon to Europe, as he travels while working.
In one of his most recent trips to Arizona’s spectacular tourist attraction, he got even more than he had bargained for.
Apart from the beautifully colourful rock formations that the site has to offer, Adar also encountered the fascinating Triops.
He shared a video of the incredible find and wrote in the caption: “These cool little creatures are called Triops also known as a living fossil.
“I got to watch these little guys swim around while surrounded by the coolest mountain formations at The Wave in Arizona.”
Adar also shared some interesting facts about the swimmers with Newsflash: “This creature is one of the oldest creatures that are still walking amongst us.
“They are also referred to as living fossils. They can lay eggs and only until the Triops baby knows that it’s safe to come out or when it touches the water the eggs can hatch.
“The egg can sit there for nine years before it hatches.”
Adar revealed that encountering them at this “fragile but beautiful and vivid place” is something words can’t even describe.
Adar said he has always had a passion for travel and exploration.
“Ever since I was a child, I have had a world map hanging above my bed and every time I would come home from school I would just stare at it for a long time, studying every crevice, every bay, lake, ocean, mountain and country.
“And I’ve always wondered what’s the best way to get to all these places.”
Adar added that travelling allowed him to see that “Israel was just a speck out of this world.”
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Story By: Simona Kitanovska, Sub-Editor: Marija Stojkoska, Agency: Newsflash
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