Toad in the Hole, & other "Living Fossils"

Strange though the idea may seem, there have been a large number of reports of animals -- mostly toads -- being found encased in ageless rocks and ancient trees; and they emerge from their entombment, often from a hole that exactly fits their body, alive. This is, of course, scientifically impossible... the length of time and conditions that create rocks and trees are beyond the limits of any known animal's survival. And yet, there are reports of live animals emerging from exactly such impossible conditions. Are the reports fraud, or cases of mistaken observation? Or is something beyond scientific knowledge at work?