Mesozoic Era
Important Details:
The Mesozoic Era also known as “The Age Of Reptiles”, “The Middle Of Life” or “Age Of Dinosaurs” started 250 million years ago and ended 65 million years ago. This era lasted almost 180 years and started and ended the era. The climate of this era was mostly constant, and the air was usually warm with zero ice caps. During the Triassic Period the weather was generally dry and flooding had caused humidity. In the Cretaceous Period the climate began to cool but temperatures rose again at the very end of the era. At the beginning of the era the continents were together, forming Pangaea. Later Pangaea broke apart into two smaller continents: Laurasia, and Gondwana. Laurasia then broke into even smaller continents: North America and Eurasia. Gondwana became: South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and India. While Pangaea was breaking apart the Atlantic Ocean formed. Then the oceans started to rise because of the magma covering the ocean floor.
Life and Extinction:
All periods in the Mesozoic Era brought different types of animals. Some animals include: dinosaurs, mammals, crocodiles, and flying reptiles with a wingspan of 40 feet. At the beginning of the era cone bearing seeds were common. Flowering plants took over at the end of this era (during the Cretaceous Period.) At the beginning of the era (during the Triassic Period) dinosaurs had evolved. Then all dinosaurs became extinct except for the birds. World fauna (animals) changed drastically. The Iguanodon, Tyrannosaurusrex, and Triceratops (all huge lizards) took over the land. At the end of the period (around 206 million years ago) a mass extinction happened and wiped out all of the dinosaurs. Around 90 percent of animals wiped out and affected 50 percent of all marine life.
Interesting Facts:
The Mesozoic Era contained 3 periods. The Triassic Period (home to the first reptiles and dinosaurs) started 252 million years ago and ended 200 million years ago. The Jurassic Period (home to birds and mammals) started 200 million years ago and ended 145 million years ago. The Cretaceous Period started 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago.
Important Details:
The Mesozoic Era also known as “The Age Of Reptiles”, “The Middle Of Life” or “Age Of Dinosaurs” started 250 million years ago and ended 65 million years ago. This era lasted almost 180 years and started and ended the era. The climate of this era was mostly constant, and the air was usually warm with zero ice caps. During the Triassic Period the weather was generally dry and flooding had caused humidity. In the Cretaceous Period the climate began to cool but temperatures rose again at the very end of the era. At the beginning of the era the continents were together, forming Pangaea. Later Pangaea broke apart into two smaller continents: Laurasia, and Gondwana. Laurasia then broke into even smaller continents: North America and Eurasia. Gondwana became: South America, Africa, Australia, Antarctica, and India. While Pangaea was breaking apart the Atlantic Ocean formed. Then the oceans started to rise because of the magma covering the ocean floor.
Life and Extinction:
All periods in the Mesozoic Era brought different types of animals. Some animals include: dinosaurs, mammals, crocodiles, and flying reptiles with a wingspan of 40 feet. At the beginning of the era cone bearing seeds were common. Flowering plants took over at the end of this era (during the Cretaceous Period.) At the beginning of the era (during the Triassic Period) dinosaurs had evolved. Then all dinosaurs became extinct except for the birds. World fauna (animals) changed drastically. The Iguanodon, Tyrannosaurusrex, and Triceratops (all huge lizards) took over the land. At the end of the period (around 206 million years ago) a mass extinction happened and wiped out all of the dinosaurs. Around 90 percent of animals wiped out and affected 50 percent of all marine life.
Interesting Facts:
The Mesozoic Era contained 3 periods. The Triassic Period (home to the first reptiles and dinosaurs) started 252 million years ago and ended 200 million years ago. The Jurassic Period (home to birds and mammals) started 200 million years ago and ended 145 million years ago. The Cretaceous Period started 145 million years ago and ended 66 million years ago.