The Age of Reptiles in Three Acts
PBS Eons・2 minutes read
The Mesozoic Era saw the rise of archosaurs and dinosaurs, evolving and adapting to changing environments over millions of years. The extinction event at the end of the era wiped out giant reptiles, paving the way for the dominance of mammals and smaller creatures in the Cenozoic era.
Insights
- The Mesozoic Era, starting after The Great Dying, saw the emergence of archosaurs like dinosaurs, pterosaurs, and phytosaurs in the Triassic Period, with unique adaptations such as pubis bone orientations distinguishing different dinosaur groups.
- The K-Pg Extinction event 66 million years ago marked the end of the Age of Reptiles, leading to the demise of giant reptiles like dinosaurs and the rise of mammals due to their smaller size and varied diets, ultimately shaping the dominance of smaller species in the Cenozoic era.
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Recent questions
What era followed The Great Dying?
Mesozoic Era
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