The Mesozoic Eras was a time of great change on Earth, with the rise of dinosaurs, the formations of the continents as we know today, and the development of new types of plants and animals. It was also the eras that marked the first climate shift from dry and warm in the Triassic to more tropical in the Jurassic, and then warmer in the Cretaceous. By the time this eras came to an end, a catastrophic event—a meteorite impact—caused the fifth mass extinction in Earth’s history. Most of the life forms were wiped out as a result, including the dinosaurs. Let’s dive into what all happened in this eras in this blog.
First of all, you need to know that the Mesozoic Eras is divided into three periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods and each of these periods had a different climate, animal species, and plants.
Triassic Period (252 to 201 million years ago): The earliest period of the Mesozoic Eras is the Triassic Period during which all of Earth’s land was combined into a supercontinent called Pangea. There were no ice caps at the poles due to the climate being warm and dry. This was also the first time the dinosaurs began to appear, though they weren’t as diverse as they became later. Mammals were also around, but they were tiny compared to the dinosaurs. The plants of this time were mostly conifers, ferns, and cycads and there were no flowering plants yet.
Jurassic Period (201 to 145 million years ago): Following the Triassic, the Jurassic Period saw major changes. Pangea split into smaller continents, and the climate became tropical and humid. Dinosaurs grew to be more diverse, and the first birds also appeared. Even the plant life changed, with more lush forests of conifers and ferns.
Cretaceous Period (145 to 66 million years ago): This is the last period of the Mesozoic Eras. By now, the continents had moved even further apart. The climate was warm, and flowering plants began to appear. Dinosaurs were at their peak during this time in terms of diversity and size. However, this period ended with a massive meteorite impact, which led to a mass extinction that wiped out the dinosaurs and many other species.
Conclusion
The Mesozoic Eras is one of the most happening eras in the Earth’s history. If you liked this blog and are interested in learning more about dinosaurs and their world, Dinosaurs and Dinosaur Babies: An Educational Coloring – Activity Book by Todd S. Schoedel is a great resource. This book is a modern-day activity book with fun coloring pages and educational facts about the Mesozoic Eras- a great way for kids to explore the world of dinosaurs while also enjoying the creative process.
