Mesozoic

The Mesozoic Era, often called the "Age of Reptiles," lasted from about 252 to 66 million years ago. It was a time when dinosaurs dominated Earth's land, seas teemed with marine reptiles, and the first birds and flowering plants appeared. The era is divided into three periods: Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous. During this time, continents drifted toward their current positions, and many iconic species evolved. The era ended with a mass extinction event that wiped out most dinosaurs and many other life forms, paving the way for mammals to become more prominent.