Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops Longicaudatus
Triops Longicaudatus Red
Triops food
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Did you know which animals lived in the Mesozoic era?
When you think of the age of dinosaurs, you probably think of giant lizards with sharp teeth and thunderous footsteps. And yes, they were the stars of their time. But the Mesozoic era was much more than just the stage for the giants of prehistoric times. In this blog article, I will take you on a journey through this fascinating era, which spanned around 186 million years, from the end of the Permian to the extinction of the dinosaurs at the end of the Cretaceous. We take a look at the different animal species that lived during this time, on land, in the water and in the air.
Welcome to the age of the dinosaurs
The Mesozoic era is divided into three major sections: Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. Each of these periods brought forth new animals, while others disappeared. The earth was in a state of flux, geologically, climatically and biologically.
The Triassic: The beginning of the dinosaurs and the legacy of the Permian period
After the largest mass extinction in the history of the earth at the end of the Permian, life slowly recovered. The early Triassic was still dominated by primitive reptiles and so-called archosaurs, a group of animals that later gave rise to both dinosaurs and crocodiles.
The first small dinosaurs appeared during this time, for example Eoraptor or Herrerasaurus. Early marine reptiles such as ichthyosaurs (fish-like swimmers with long mouths) and nothosaurs also populated the oceans. The ancestors of pterosaurs began to evolve in the air.
In addition to the reptiles, some synapsids, the ‘mammalian ancestors’, also survived from the Permian period. They would later develop into the first true mammals.
The Jurassic: pterosaurs, sauropods and the first prehistoric bird
Dinosaurs experienced their heyday in the Jurassic period. Giant herbivores such as Brachiosaurus, Diplodocus and Apatosaurus roamed the forests, while predatory dinosaurs such as Allosaurus lay in wait for prey. It was the time of the sauropods, the long-necked giants.
The skies also became livelier: pterosaurs such as Pteranodon or Rhamphorhynchus glided through the sky, but they were not birds, but a separate group of reptiles. The first known bird, Archaeopteryx, also appeared in the late Jurassic. It combined features of dinosaurs with feathers, a fascinating transitional creature.
In the sea, ichthyosaurs and plesiosaurs dominated the scene. Turtles, fish and the first octopuses were also widespread.
The Cretaceous period: New predators, flowering plants and the grand finale
In the Cretaceous period, dinosaurs continued to evolve, some became larger, others smaller or more specialised. The famous Tyrannosaurus rex lived in this period, as did the horned Triceratops and the armoured Ankylosaurus. The fast Velociraptor also dates from this era, although in reality it was much smaller than Hollywood shows it.
In addition, birds became increasingly diverse and gradually replaced many pterosaurs. Meanwhile, large mosasaurs, lizard-like predators, lived in the water and took a new top position in the oceans.
At the same time, the first real mammals emerged, even if they were still small and inconspicuous at the time. The development of flowering plants towards the end of the Cretaceous period changed the entire ecosystem; it was a silent revolution that also influenced animal life.
And then came the asteroid …
At the end of the Cretaceous period, around 66 million years ago, a dramatic turning point occurred: an asteroid struck and triggered a mass extinction. Most dinosaurs disappeared from the scene, as did many marine reptiles and pterosaurs.
But not all animals became extinct. Some species, including many birds (the descendants of dinosaurs) and small mammals, survived.
Conclusion: The Mesozoic era was more than just dinosaurs
When you think of the Mesozoic era, remember: it was the age of great upheavals and fascinating creatures, on land, in the water and in the air. Dinosaurs may have been the best-known representatives, but they were not alone. Alongside them lived flying reptiles, fish-like hunters, the first birds, small mammals and many other animals whose descendants we still encounter today.
The Mesozoic era shows us how life is constantly reinventing itself and how closely everything is connected. Who knows which fossils are still waiting to tell us more stories from this incredible time.
