Mesozoic facts for kids
The Mesozoic Era was a very long period in Earth's history. It's often called the "Age of Dinosaurs" because these amazing creatures lived and ruled the Earth during this time. The Mesozoic Era lasted about 186 million years. It began around 252.2 million years ago (mya) and ended about 66 mya.
This era started after a huge event called the Permian-Triassic extinction. This event caused many types of life on Earth to die out. The Mesozoic Era ended with another big event, the K-T extinction, which is famous for wiping out the dinosaurs.
Dinosaurs first appeared about 231 mya, which was about 21 million years after the Mesozoic Era began. They developed from early reptiles called archosaurs. Today, birds and crocodiles are still part of the archosaur group.
The Mesozoic Era is the middle part of three major eras that make up the Phanerozoic Eon. Before the Mesozoic was the Paleozoic Era. After the K-T extinction, the Cenozoic Era began. This is the era we live in today.
What Are the Mesozoic Periods?
The Mesozoic Era is divided into three main periods. Each period had its own unique plants, animals, and climate.
- Triassic Period (252–201 mya)
- Lower Triassic (252–247 mya)
- Middle Triassic (247–237 mya)
- Upper Triassic (237–201 mya)
- Jurassic Period (201–145 mya)
- Lower Jurassic (201–176 mya)
- Middle Jurassic (176–161 mya)
- Upper Jurassic (161–145 mya)
- Cretaceous Period (145–66 mya)
- Lower Cretaceous (145–100 mya)
- Upper Cretaceous (100–66 mya)
Images for kids
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Conifers were the main land plants for most of the Mesozoic. Grasses became common later in the Cretaceous Period. Flowering plants appeared late in the era but didn't spread widely until the Cenozoic Era.
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Dinosaurs were the most important land animals throughout much of the Mesozoic Era.
See also
In Spanish: Era mesozoica para niños
