FACT: Mold has existed for at least 400 million years, predating dinosaurs and playing a crucial role in shaping Earth’s ecosystems.

Mold is one of the earliest life forms on Earth, having survived mass extinctions, climate changes, and shifting landscapes. Its incredible adaptability allows it to thrive in extreme environments, from damp forests to dry deserts, ensuring its continued presence across millennia.

As Earth’s first decomposers, molds played a vital role in breaking down dead plant material, recycling nutrients, and enriching soil. This process helped create the conditions necessary for more complex plant and animal life to evolve. Fossilized mold spores and ancient mycelium provide evidence of their long-standing influence on the planet’s biological and geological history.

Today, mold continues to impact human life, both as a challenge and a benefit. While some molds pose health risks, others have given us life-saving antibiotics like penicillin and contribute to industries such as food fermentation and biotechnology. Every mold spore we encounter is a living relic of Earth’s deep past, reminding us of the resilience and adaptability that define life itself.