Sharks Predate Trees by Millions of Years

It is difficult to picture a world without forests, but for much of Earth's history, the land was largely barren. Life thrived in the oceans, and it was in these ancient seas, about 450 million years ago, that the earliest shark ancestors emerged. These were not the massive predators we know today, but a diverse group of cartilaginous fish finding their niche in a world where the continents were still drifting into place and the most complex life on land was little more than moss.

It would take another 100 million years for a revolutionary new life form to take root on the continents. Around 350 million years ago, plants like Archaeopteris developed strong, woody trunks, becoming the planet's first true trees. These pioneers created the first forests, radically transforming the landscape by creating rich soil, stabilizing riverbanks, and altering the global atmosphere. This was a monumental step in Earth's evolution, but one that occurred long after sharks had become established residents of the planet.

This staggering time gap highlights the incredible endurance of sharks. They have survived at least four of the planet's five major mass extinction events, continuing to adapt and diversify through eras that saw the rise and fall of countless other species, including the dinosaurs. Their long history is a testament to their remarkable adaptability, making them one of evolution's most successful and ancient lineages.