Dinosaurs roamed Earth for millions of years, during a major geologic era known as the Mesozoic. Fossils, scientific discoveries and tireless research efforts have gradually unveiled the mesmerizing tapestry of the dinosaur timeline.
Their captivating tale begins in the Triassic period, reaches its peak during the well-known Jurassic period and comes to a dramatic end in the late Cretaceous period. Discover how each of these distinct periods served as a stage for the evolutionary dramas that unfolded, as new species emerged and others faded away.
How Long Ago Did Dinosaurs Live?
The dawn of dinosaurs began with the Permian mass extinction, also known as the Great Dying. This event, around 252 million years ago, killed more than 90 percent of life on Earth at the time.
Scientists are unclear on what actually caused this mass die-off (warming temperatures and volcanic activity likely played a role) but it is widely recognized as the worst extinction ever to have occurred.
