Lampreys are one of the oldest types of fish, around for more than 360 million years. They have round, sucker-like mouths that they use to latch onto other fish and feed. Even though they might not look very appealing, lampreys have managed to survive major changes in Earth’s climate and environment. Found in rivers and lakes, these ancient creatures have adapted to many places and are still surviving while many other species have died out.
Their life cycle is unique — starting as larvae buried in riverbeds for several years before transforming into adults. Some species are parasitic, while others do not feed at all as adults. Despite their primitive appearance, lampreys play an important role in aquatic ecosystems and are studied for insights into vertebrate evolution.
