The Mesozoic Era began 245 million years ago after a mass extinction and was subdivided into the Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. It ended approximately 66 million years ago with another major mass extinction. During the Triassic, new types of animals emerged to fill empty ecological niches following the last extinction event, including the earliest dinosaurs. The Jurassic saw the rise of large herbivorous and carnivorous dinosaurs, as well as flying reptiles and the earliest birds and mammals. The Cretaceous period ended with a mass extinction that wiped out all non-avian dinosaurs and many other land and sea creatures.

1. Mesozoic Era
Earth Science By, Elizabeth Bell

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3. The Mesozoic Era
• Began approximately 245 million years ago after a major mass extinction. Is
subdivided into 3 periods
• Triassic
• Jurassic
• Cretaceous
• Ends about 66 million years ago with a major mass extinction
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5. Triassic Period
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The Triassic Period 245 - 206 million
years ago
 Immediately after the Permian Mass Extinction
 Lots of new area is open for animals to live
 Three general types of animals
 holdovers from before the extinction
 new groups that lasted only a short time
 new groups that lasted a long time

7. Two Groups of Dinosaurs
• Ornithischian
• Hips were similar to modern bird hips
• Carnivorous short-necked
• Herbivorous, long-necked
• Saurischian
• Hips were similar to reptile hips
• Herbivorous with grinding-teeth
• Herbivorous without grinding-teeth
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8. Earliest DinosaursTriassic
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Eoraptor:
Length:3 feet Height:1
feetWeight:20 pounds
Lesothsaurus: Length:3
feet Height:1 foot
Weight:15 pounds
Pisanosaurus Length:3
feet Height:1 foot
Weight:15 pound

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10. The Jurassic Period
• 206 - 144 MillionYears Ago
• Giant plant-eating dinosaurs
• Vicious carnivore dinosaurs
• Oceans full of fish, squid, sharks, etc.
• Ichthyosaurs and Plesiosaurs
• Pterosaurs
• Birds
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11. Jurassic Plant Eating Dinosaurs
• Many different forms
• Many had ‘armor’ to protect themselves
• Triceratops
• Ankylosaurus
• Many very large (larger than a Rhino/Hippo)
• Some were extremely large (as long as a city block): Diplodocus
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12. Jurassic Carnivorous Dinosaurs
• Many different forms
• Some were very large:
Tyrannosaurus Rex
• Allasaurus
• Some were smaller:
• Raptors, and many more All had
sharp teeth, claws, and speed
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14. The Cretaceous Mass Extinction
• Approximately 60% of all species went extinct.
• Affected many land animals/plants
• Affected fewer marine animals
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15. What organisms were extinct?
•All dinosaurs
•All pterosaurs
•All ichthyosaurs
•Many terrestrial plants
•Many marine animal
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