The dinosaurs may have died out during the mass extinction event at the end of the Cretaceous period, but many of the creatures that lived alongside them survived. While some evolved into the mammals and birds we know today, others have remained almost the same as they were millions of years ago. Here are nine creatures that coexisted with the dinosaurs. 
 

1. Crocodiles

Crocodiles are among the only surviving members of the archosaur group, which share a heritage with dinosaurs. Modern crocodilians evolved in the Late Cretaceous, around 95 million years ago, which means crocodiles lived alongside the likes of T. rex and Triceratops. 

2. Tuatara

The tuatara is the sole survivor of a different reptile group that began in the Early Triassic. They thrived alongside dinosaurs throughout the Mesozoic era and can still be found on the islands off the coast of New Zealand. 
 

3. Sharks

Believe it or not, sharks are even older than dinosaurs - and have survived no fewer than five mass extinction events. The oldest known group of modern sharks - which include the frilled shark and bluntnose sixgill shark - had evolved by the Early Jurassic. 

4. Horseshoe crabs

Horseshoe crabs also pre-date the dinosaurs - by over two hundred million years. Even more astonishingly, they look almost the same as they did in the Mesozoic era, with a horseshoe-shaped shell and tall spike. 

5. Coelacanths

Coelacanths were thought to have been extinct for 70 million years until one was caught off the coast of South Africa in 1938. They lived throughout the Mesozoic, and have remained relatively similar to this day. Both extinct and living coelacanths belong to a group of lobe-finned fish, which are unlike most of today’s fish species. 
 

6. Sea turtles

Sea turtles evolved around the same time as dinosaurs, first appearing some 230 million years ago. Despite the mass extinction event, many sea turtle species survived and the group quickly diversified again. A sea turtle from the Cretaceous would be recognisable to us today. 
 

7. Bees

Bees evolved from predatory wasps around 120 million years ago, and developed the social behaviours seen in modern bees 60 to 80 million years ago. They have been pollinating the planet since the dinosaurs roamed - and may even have stung one or two of them!
 

8. Platypuses

The earliest platypus-like animal in the fossil record dates back 110 million years, which places the evolution of these creatures in the Cretaceous. The platypuses that lived alongside the dinosaurs were different from those we know today, but they would probably be recognisable to us. 

9. Squat lobsters

The ancestors of squat lobsters were thriving around 150 million years ago in the shallow seas that covered modern-day Europe. There were over 50 species in the Jurassic era, while beasts like Stegosaurus and Brachiosaurus were browsing the vegetation on land. 

If you’re looking for things to do in London with family this summer, why not stomp over to the Troubadour Wembley Park Theatre to see Dinosaur World Live? This spectacular dinosaur family show is perfect for kids aged three and up, and uses stunning puppetry to introduce five fascinating dinos. Check out Dinosaur World ticket prices and book online today.