In 1938, the discovery of a large, unusual fish turned the scientific community on end. Dubbed a "living fossil," the discovery of a coelacanth in South Africa shocked scientists around the world who thought this type of fish had died out millions of years prior during the process of evolution. Living fossils are organisms preserved in the fossil record that still exist in similar form today. If the core concepts of the theory of evolution presuppose change over time, then how can these living fossils exist for millions of years remaining virtually unchanged? Whether a shark, leaf, frog or crab, living fossils are a challenge for evolutionary theorists and create a fascinating debate among scholars. homeschoolers or easily integrated into existing curricula.