Cenozoic Era

The current geological era, covering the last 66 million years to the present. It's divided into three main periods: Paleogene, Neogene, and Quaternary, each with epochs. Called the "Age of Mammals" because mammals diversified and became dominant. Notable events include the recovery of life after the dinosaur extinction.

• cenozoic

• entelodont

• ambulocetus

• paraceratherium

Tags

NGSS.MS-ESS1-4

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Commonly known as "terminator pigs," were a group of omnivorous mammals that lived from the late Eocene to the Miocene, around 37 to 16 million years ago. They had massive heads with large jaws and teeth, and their appearance was somewhat pig-like but more strong and powerful.

• uinatherium

• entelodont

• ambulocetus

• paraceratherium

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Also known as the "walking whale," lived approximately 49 million years ago. It was an early cetacean (whale ancestor) with features adapted for both terrestrial and aquatic life. It had limbs capable of supporting its body on land and a streamlined body for swimming.

• uinatherium

• entelodont

• ambulocetus

• paraceratherium

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

It is considered the tallest mammal ever known, standing about 16 to 18 feet (5 to 5.5 meters) tall at the shoulder. With a long neck and legs, it resembled a giant, long-necked rhinoceros and was adapted to browsing on vegetation in the ancient forests and grasslands where it lived.

• uinatherium

• entelodont

• ambulocetus

• paraceratherium

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

A large herbivorous mammal that lived from the late Eocene to the early Miocene, around 37 to 49 million years ago. It had a unique appearance, with a massive body, a set of three pairs of blunt horns on its skull, and large canine-like incisors.

• uinatherium

• entelodont

• ambulocetus

• paraceratherium

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Odd-toed ungulates that existed from the late Oligocene to the Pliocene, around 23 to 5 million years ago. These mammals had a bizarre appearance, with long limbs and large claws on their forelimbs, which they likely used for grasping vegetation.  “The gorilla horse.”

• chalicothere

• gastornis

• uintatherium

• ambulocetus

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

Also known as the "terror bird," was a large flightless bird that lived from the late Paleocene to the middle Eocene, around 56 to 45 million years ago. Despite its large size, it was a herbivore, challenging the traditional view of large birds as carnivorous.

• chalicothere

• gastornis

• uintatherium

• ambulocetus

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2

An extinct giant snake that lived around 60 to 58 million years ago. It's one of the largest snakes ever found, with fossils discovered in Colombia. It could grow up to 42 feet long and was a top predator in its ancient ecosystem. The discovery gives us insights into the size of reptiles in the past.

• chalicothere

• gastornis

• uintatherium

• titanoboa

Tags

NGSS.MS-LS4-1

NGSS.MS-LS4-2