Biology
Evolutionary Timelines of Sharks and Trees
Quick fact
Sharks evolved roughly 450 million years ago, while the first trees appeared around 390 million years ago—a difference of about 60 million years, meaning sharks predate trees by tens of millions of years.
Why this is interesting
We often think of sharks as ancient and trees as primordial—but which really came first? In the grand timeline of life, the answer will surprise you.