Evolution Repeatedly Inventing The Same Solutions

Different species often evolve identical traits despite having no common ancestor. Nature solves the same survival challenges using completely different biological blueprints.

Think of this as evolution having a favorite design strategy. For example, birds, bats, and extinct pterosaurs all independently figured out how to fly, despite their last common ancestor being a flightless creature. Even though their wings serve the same purpose, their underlying bone structures are completely different. It shows that there are specific, perfect solutions to environmental problems that life hits upon over and over again.