Cenozoic Era
Cenozoic Era: 66 million years ago to Present
Cenozoic Summary: The era is most known for the mammals. The claim to fame/nickname of the era is the "Age of the Mammals". Mammals began to rise to dominance during this time period after the dinosaurs disappeared. The first recognizable primates came to life during this era. Most of the mammals, birds and other animals that lived early in this time period would have been recognizable to us today but were often considerably bigger or stranger. The Woolly Mammoth and Saber-Tooth Tiger came to life in this era but died off at the end of the last Ice Age. Other species have continued to evolve over time and some have gone extinct with the changes brought about by modern humans and their impact on the environment.
Cenozoic Summary: The era is most known for the mammals. The claim to fame/nickname of the era is the "Age of the Mammals". Mammals began to rise to dominance during this time period after the dinosaurs disappeared. The first recognizable primates came to life during this era. Most of the mammals, birds and other animals that lived early in this time period would have been recognizable to us today but were often considerably bigger or stranger. The Woolly Mammoth and Saber-Tooth Tiger came to life in this era but died off at the end of the last Ice Age. Other species have continued to evolve over time and some have gone extinct with the changes brought about by modern humans and their impact on the environment.
GEOLOGIC EVENTS
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/416380711.jpg)
Rocky Mountains Form
55 MYA
The Rocky Mountains form. Tectonic plates were pushing against each other forcing the land to move upward, creating the mountains.
55 MYA
The Rocky Mountains form. Tectonic plates were pushing against each other forcing the land to move upward, creating the mountains.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/279388850.jpg)
Himalayas Form
35 MYA
The Himalayas form. India merged with Asia causing these mountains to form.
35 MYA
The Himalayas form. India merged with Asia causing these mountains to form.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/2256853.gif)
Continents Move to Current Positions
30 MYA
Continents continue to move to present day positions. Antarctica moved to the South Pole and South America slowly attached itself in a collision with North America forming the area around Panama. North America continued separating from Europe widening the Atlantic Ocean.
30 MYA
Continents continue to move to present day positions. Antarctica moved to the South Pole and South America slowly attached itself in a collision with North America forming the area around Panama. North America continued separating from Europe widening the Atlantic Ocean.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/3154980.jpg)
Ice Age
10,000 Years Ago
Earth's climate cooled causing a series of Ice Ages. Thick continental glaciers advanced and retreated over parts of North America and Europe.
10,000 Years Ago
Earth's climate cooled causing a series of Ice Ages. Thick continental glaciers advanced and retreated over parts of North America and Europe.
DEVELOPMENT OF LIFE EVENTS
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/281677279.jpg)
Grass
66 MYA
First grasses appear. The grass provided a food source for grazing mammals.
66 MYA
First grasses appear. The grass provided a food source for grazing mammals.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/562302875.jpg?155)
Modern Animal Groups Appear
65 MYA
Modern groups of animals such as horses, elephants, bears, rodents and primates appear.
65 MYA
Modern groups of animals such as horses, elephants, bears, rodents and primates appear.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/213957680.jpg?162)
Lucy the Australopithecus
3.4 MYA
Lucy was the first ancestor of humans. She lived in eastern Africa and walked on two legs instead of four like apes.
3.4 MYA
Lucy was the first ancestor of humans. She lived in eastern Africa and walked on two legs instead of four like apes.
![Picture](/uploads/2/5/8/7/25870152/22095.jpg?226)
Modern Humans
100,000 Years Ago
Modern Humans evolve in Africa. By about 12,000 to 15,000 years ago humans had migrated around the world to every continent except Antarctica.
100,000 Years Ago
Modern Humans evolve in Africa. By about 12,000 to 15,000 years ago humans had migrated around the world to every continent except Antarctica.