⏰ when
When was the first coelacanth discovered alive?
Quick Answer
The first living coelacanth was discovered in 1938 off the coast of South Africa. It was a major zoological surprise because the fish had been known only from fossils.
The Full Story
A living coelacanth was first discovered in 1938 near the Chalumna River mouth off South Africa. The fish was identified by museum curator Marjorie Courtenay-Latimer, with later scientific confirmation by J. L. B. Smith. Coelacanths had been thought extinct for millions of years based on fossils, so the discovery was sensational. It became one of the most famous examples of a so-called living fossil.
Key Facts
1.Discovery year: 1938
2.Found near South Africa
3.Previously known only from fossils
YouTube Angle
Suggested video title for this topic:
"A fish thought extinct for millions of years turned up alive in 1938"
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