Plateosaurus
- When: Late Triassic
(214–204 mya) - Where: Europe
- What: Sauropodomorph
- Weight: 600–4,000 kg
- Length: 4.8–10 meters
- Diet: Herbivorous
- Discovered: 1837
Mesozoic
The Mesozoic Era: The Age of Dinosaurs
The Mesozoic Era is a thrilling time in Earth’s history, known as the Age of Dinosaurs!
It began about 250 million years ago and lasted until 66 million years ago.
During this era, dinosaurs roamed the land, flying reptiles soared through the skies, and giant sea creatures swam in the oceans.
The Mesozoic is divided into three periods: the Triassic, the Jurassic, and the Cretaceous.
Each period saw amazing changes in the types of plants and animals that lived on Earth. Imagine a world full of enormous, plant-eating dinosaurs like Brachiosaurus, fearsome predators like T. rex, and even the first birds beginning to take flight!
The Mesozoic was a time of incredible adventure and discovery, making it one of the most exciting chapters in our planet’s history.
Pliosaurus
- When: Late Jurassic
(155–145 mya) - Where: Europe
- What: Pliosaur
- Weight: 12–45 metric tons
- Length: 10–13 meters
- Diet: Carnivorous
- Discovered: 1841
Polacanthus
- When: Early Cretaceous
(130–125 mya) - Where: Europe
- What: Ankylosaur
- Weight: 1–2 metric tons
- Length: 4–5 meters
- Diet: Herbivorous
- Discovered: 1865
Protoceratops
- When: Late Cretaceous
(75–71 mya) - Where: Asia
- What: Ceratopsian
- Weight: 120–180 kg
- Length: 1.8 meters
- Diet: Herbivorous
- Discovered: 1923
Saltasaurus
- When: Late Cretaceous
(70–66 mya) - Where: South America
- What: Sauropod
- Weight: 6–8 metric tons
- Length: 12 meters
- Diet: Herbivorous
- Discovered: 1980
Sarcosuchus
- When: Early Cretaceous
(133–112 mya) - Where: Africa
- What: Crocodyliform
- Weight: 3.5–8 tons
- Length: 9–12 meters
- Diet: Carnivorous
- Discovered: 1940s
Supersaurus
- When: Late Jurassic
(153–150 mya) - Where: North America
- What: Sauropod
- Weight: 35–40 metric tons
- Length: 33–34 meters
- Diet: Herbivorous
- Discovered: 1985
Therizinosaurus
- When: Late Cretaceous
(70–66 mya) - Where: Asia
- What: Theropod
- Weight: 3–5 metric tons
- Length: 10–12 meters
- Diet: Likely herbivorous or omnivorous
- Discovered: 1954
Troodon
- When: Late Cretaceous
(75–65 mya) - Where: North America
- What: Theropod
- Weight: 50 kg
- Length: 2 meters
- Diet: Omnivorous
- Discovered: 1856