Mesozoic

Mesozoic is an era in the geologic time scale that lasted from about 252 to 66 million years ago. It is often referred to as the Age of Reptiles because it is the time period in which reptiles, particularly dinosaurs, were the dominant terrestrial vertebrates. The Mesozoic is divided into three periods: the Triassic, the Jurassic, and the Cretaceous.

Triassic

The Triassic period (252 to 201 million years ago) is characterized by the recovery of life forms after the Permian-Triassic extinction event, the most severe extinction event in Earth's history. The first mammals and dinosaurs appeared during this period.

Jurassic

The Jurassic period (201 to 145 million years ago) is known for the abundance and diversity of dinosaurs. The first birds also appeared during this period.

Cretaceous

The Cretaceous period (145 to 66 million years ago) is the last period of the Mesozoic era. It ended with the Cretaceous-Paleogene extinction event, which led to the extinction of most dinosaur species.

Flora and Fauna

The Mesozoic era saw a great diversity of life forms. The dominant terrestrial vertebrates were the dinosaurs, which included both carnivorous and herbivorous species. The first mammals and birds also appeared during this era. The flora was dominated by gymnosperms, including conifers and cycads.

Climate

The climate during the Mesozoic era was generally warm, with no evidence of glaciation. The sea level was high, and there was a significant amount of volcanic activity.

See also

• Paleozoic
• Cenozoic
• Geologic time scale
• Dinosaur
• Extinction event

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