How Many Years Did Dinosaurs Rule?
Dinosaurs ruled the Earth for approximately 165 million years. The era dominated by dinosaurs is known as the Mesozoic Era, and this era is divided into three main periods: the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Let’s explore this process in more detail.
Triassic Period (Approximately 251 million – 199 million years ago):
The origins of dinosaurs trace back to the Triassic period. The emergence of the first dinosaurs occurred during this time. Small-sized and slow-moving dinosaur species were particularly prevalent during this period.
Jurassic Period (Approximately 199 million – 145 million years ago):
The Jurassic period was a time when dinosaurs evolved and diversified. Slow-walking giant dinosaurs and predatory dinosaurs such as theropods were significant representatives of this period. Massive herbivorous dinosaurs like Diplodocus and Brachiosaurus also lived during this period.
Cretaceous Period (Approximately 145 million – 65 million years ago):
The Cretaceous period witnessed the evolution and dominance of some of the most famous dinosaurs. Notable dinosaur species from this period include Tyrannosaurus rex, Triceratops, Velociraptor, and Brachiosaurus.
The end of the era of dinosaurs is associated with a massive extinction event known as the Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction (K-T Extinction).
Cretaceous-Tertiary Extinction (Approximately 65 million years ago):
This mass extinction event was one of the largest in Earth’s history. Scientists propose various causes for this extinction event, with the most widely accepted theory being the impact of a large asteroid or comet colliding with Earth, leading to massive fires, tsunamis, and the formation of a dust cloud. This catastrophe affected not only dinosaurs but also many marine and other animal species. The event resulted in around a 75% species loss.
This mass extinction event led to the end of the dinosaur era. However, birds are considered the modern descendants of dinosaurs, and avian descendants that survived the K-T Extinction, benefiting from the advantages of feathers and rapid movement, managed to survive.
In conclusion, dinosaurs had a long evolutionary history, and their extinction was a result of major natural disasters such as the K-T Extinction. Birds, recognized as the modern descendants of dinosaurs, are one of the rare groups that survived and still exist today. Archaeological excavations support the accuracy of these findings.