Frozen worms in Russia come back to life after 42,000 years
- 6 years ago
YAKUTIA, RUSSIA — That's a long time to be frozen.
A study conducted by Russian scientists in collaboration with Princeton University found 300 prehistoric worms in Yakutia, one of the coldest regions of Russia.
Two of the worms were "shown to contain viable nematodes," also known as roundworms, reports the Siberian Times.
One worm is estimated to be around 32,000 years old while the other is around 42,000 years old.
One of the worms was found in an ancient squirrel burrow's permafrost, while the other was found by the Alazeya River.
After being defrosted in a laboratory at The Institute of Physico-Chemical and Biological Problems in Moscow, the worms started to move, eat, and show other signs of life.
According to the Siberian Times, both the worms are female and are part of the "oldest living animals on the planet."
A study conducted by Russian scientists in collaboration with Princeton University found 300 prehistoric worms in Yakutia, one of the coldest regions of Russia.
Two of the worms were "shown to contain viable nematodes," also known as roundworms, reports the Siberian Times.
One worm is estimated to be around 32,000 years old while the other is around 42,000 years old.
One of the worms was found in an ancient squirrel burrow's permafrost, while the other was found by the Alazeya River.
After being defrosted in a laboratory at The Institute of Physico-Chemical and Biological Problems in Moscow, the worms started to move, eat, and show other signs of life.
According to the Siberian Times, both the worms are female and are part of the "oldest living animals on the planet."