List of the prehistoric life of Washington facts for kids

Washington state has a rich history of ancient life, recorded in the many fossils found across its lands. These fossils tell us about the plants and animals that lived here millions of years ago. By studying them, scientists can piece together what Washington was like in the distant past, from ancient seas to prehistoric forests.

Ancient Life in Washington State

Fossils are like clues from the past. They help us understand how life on Earth has changed over huge spans of time. In Washington, scientists have found many different types of fossils. These include tiny sea creatures, large marine reptiles, and even early mammals. Each fossil helps tell a part of Washington's amazing prehistoric story.

The Precambrian Era: Earth's Earliest Times

The Precambrian Era was the very first and longest part of Earth's history. It lasted from when Earth formed, about 4.6 billion years ago, until about 541 million years ago. During this time, life was mostly simple, like single-celled organisms. Scientists have not found any known fossils from the Precambrian Era in Washington state. This means that any rocks from that time either don't contain fossils or haven't been found yet.

The Paleozoic Era: Life Explodes in the Oceans

The Paleozoic Era began about 541 million years ago and ended about 252 million years ago. This was a time when life in the oceans really took off! Many new groups of animals appeared, especially those with hard shells or skeletons. Washington has fossils from this era, mostly from marine (ocean) creatures.

Here are some types of ancient creatures found in Washington from the Paleozoic Era:

• Brachiopods: These are small, shelled sea animals that look a bit like clams. They were very common in ancient oceans.
  • 

    Illustration of a fossilized shell of the brachiopod Kutorgina
    †Kutorgina
• Trilobites: These are extinct marine arthropods, related to modern crabs and insects. They had segmented bodies and lived on the seafloor.
  • 

    Fossil of the Cambrian trilobite Nevadia
    †Nevadia
• Bryozoans: These are tiny colonial animals that often grew in branching or fan-like shapes. They are sometimes called "moss animals."
  • †Alternifenestella
  • †Fistulipora
  • †Polypora
• Conodonts: These were small, eel-like animals with tooth-like structures.
  • †Epigondolella
• Other ancient marine life: Many other types of ancient sea creatures have been found. Some of these include:
  • †Coeloclemis – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Dyscritella
  • †Fistulamina – This is a possible report, meaning scientists are still checking.
  • †Hyolithellus
  • †Mackinneyella – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Meekoporella – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Micromitra
  • †Nematopora
  • †Neoeridotrypella – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Pamirella – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Parapolypora
  • †Pinegopora – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Pseudobatostomella
  • †Rhombopora – This is a possible report, meaning scientists are still checking.
  • †Rhombotrypella – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Sakagamiina – The first place this genus and species were found was in Washington.
  • †Stenopora
  • †Streblotrypa – This is a possible report, meaning scientists are still checking.
  • †Tabulipora – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Wjatkella – The first place this species was found was in Washington.

The Mesozoic Era: Age of Dinosaurs and Marine Giants

The Mesozoic Era lasted from about 252 million years ago to 66 million years ago. This is often called the "Age of Dinosaurs." While dinosaurs roamed the land, the oceans were full of amazing creatures too. Many Mesozoic fossils found in Washington come from marine environments.

Here are some types of ancient creatures found in Washington from the Mesozoic Era:

• Ammonites: These were shelled creatures related to modern squids and octopuses. Their shells were often coiled like a ram's horn.
  • 

    Fossilized shell of the Late Cretaceous ammonoid cephalopod Pachydiscus
    †Pachydiscus
  • †Canadoceras
  • †Desmophyllites
  • †Dieneroceras
  • †Gaudryceras
  • †Homolsomites
  • †Hoplitoplacenticeras
  • †Juvenites
  • †Neophylloceras
  • †Olcostephanus
  • †Owenites
  • †Pseudoxybeloceras
• Bivalves: These are shelled mollusks, like clams and oysters. They have two hinged shells.
  • 

    Fossilized shell of the Early Jurassic-Late Cretaceous marine bivalve Inoceramus with a human indicating its size
    †Inoceramus
• Gastropods: These are snails, both land and sea snails. They usually have a single, coiled shell.
  • †Anchura
  • Palaeocypraea – The first place this species was found was in Washington.
  • †Pentzia
  • †Perissitys
  • †Pseudocymia – This is a possible report, meaning scientists are still checking.
  • †Sucia – The first place this genus and species were found was in Washington.

The Cenozoic Era: The Rise of Mammals

The Cenozoic Era began about 66 million years ago and continues to the present day. This is often called the "Age of Mammals." After the dinosaurs died out, mammals became the dominant large animals on Earth. Washington has many fossils from this era, including ancient mammals, birds, and plants. To learn more about the Cenozoic life of Washington, you can explore a more detailed list.