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Dinosaurs so big

The next era that followed the extinction of the dinosaurs is known as the Cenozoic era, which began approximately 66 million years ago and continues to the present day. This era is often referred to as the "Age of Mammals" as it saw the rise and diversification of mammals to become the dominant land animals. After the extinction event, the surviving small omnivorous animals, including some mammals, birds, turtles, and lizards, began to thrive in the changed environment. With the extinction of the large terrestrial dinosaurs, these smaller animals found themselves with more opportunities to exploit the available resources and habitats. Over time, mammals, in particular, experienced significant adaptive radiation, diversifying into various ecological niches. During the early Cenozoic era, mammals were generally small in size, occupying roles as insectivores, herbivores, and small predators. However, as the climate and environment continued to change, mammalian species evolved and diversified rapidly. By about 50 million years ago, mammals had become more diverse in size and form, with some growing to large proportions. One of the key events during the Cenozoic era was the development and spread of grasslands. The evolution of grasses had a profound impact on the ecosystem as it provided new food sources for herbivores and allowed them to thrive. Consequently, the diversification of herbivorous mammals, such as the early ancestors of horses and elephants, became more pronounced. Around 23 million years ago, during the Miocene epoch, grasslands expanded further, leading to the eventual dominance of grass-eating mammals. Large herbivorous mammals like elephants, rhinoceroses, and various species of grazing ungulates became widespread. Additionally, during the Cenozoic era, various other groups of animals experienced significant evolutionary developments. For example, birds continued to evolve and diversify, and some groups of reptiles, such as snakes and lizards, also underwent speciation and adaptive radiation. Over millions of years, the Cenozoic era witnessed various climatic changes, ice ages, and geological events that shaped the Earth's landscape and influenced the evolution and distribution of plant and animal species. The movement of tectonic plates led to the ongoing drift of continents and the formation of new geographic barriers, influencing species distribution and evolution. As the Cenozoic era progressed, mammals continued to evolve and occupy a wide range of habitats, including forests, grasslands, deserts, and aquatic environments. The diversity of mammals reached its peak during the late Pleistocene epoch, approximately 2.6 million years ago, with the existence of various large mammals, including mammoths, saber-toothed cats, giant ground sloths, and more. In the most recent period of the Cenozoic era, the Holocene epoch, which began around 11,700 years ago, humans emerged and played a significant role in shaping the planet's ecosystems. With the development of agriculture and civilizations, human activities began to have a profound impact on the environment, leading to changes in biodiversity and landscapes. In summary, the Cenozoic era marks the time when mammals, including early human ancestors, rose to prominence after the extinction of the dinosaurs. It is characterized by the rapid diversification and evolution of various plant and animal species, culminating in the complex ecosystems we see today.

By jashimPublished 10 months ago 3 min read
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Dinosaurs so big
Photo by Fausto García-Menéndez on Unsplash

Animal habitats that exist right today are being destroyed.

Many animals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians have either already vanished or are in the endangered category as a result of humans.

In order to avert this damage, a meeting of the UN Convention on Biological Diversity was place in Japan in 2010.

By 2020, 20 biodiversity targets were to be met.

Only six of them, sadly, have even come close to being completed.

A new Paris-style strategy was scheduled to be implemented in January 2020 in order to protect ecosystem variety.

A 2030 cutoff date was established.

Its goal is to guarantee that 30% of land and ocean receive the designation of being protected.

to at least 50% lower pollutants.

Experts have suggested that in order to stop the extinctions from happening,Greetings, dear readers! Around 100 million years ago, Earth was an entirely different world. Devoid of human presence, this planet was ruled by fearsome creatures—dinosaurs. Towering over buildings, with jaws capable of crushing bones in an instant, and running at speeds of up to 90 km/hr, these magnificent beasts were truly awe-inspiring. Dominating Earth for over 170 million years, they were the undisputed rulers of the land. However, one day, a cataclysmic event occurred, wiping them off the face of the planet. But what was this event, and how did it happen? Let's explore these mysteries in today's video. The term "Dinosaur" finds its origin in Greek, derived from the words "Denios" and "Sauros," meaning "Terrible Lizard." Coined by British scientist Richard Owen in 1841, it was first used when a dinosaur fossil was discovered. Early depictions of dinosaurs were quite different from our current understanding, as knowledge about these ancient creatures was limited. As research progressed and more discoveries were made, depictions became more realistic. Today, paleontologists have unearthed over 10,000 dinosaur fossils, identifying more than 900 distinct species. Surprisingly, from 2003 to 2022, an average of 45 new dinosaur species has been identified each year, indicating that there is still much to learn about these fascinating beings. One such peculiar dinosaur discovered in Chile is Stegouros Elengassen, featuring a blade-like tail weapon and a beak for a mouth. Our knowledge of dinosaurs has come a long way, but let's journey back to the beginning, millions of years ago. Scientists estimate that the first dinosaurs emerged approximately 230-240 million years ago. The oldest dinosaur fossils, discovered in Africa, date back to 231.4 million years ago. At that time, Earth was very different from today, with all continents joined in a supercontinent called Pangaea. During the Triassic Period, when dinosaurs began to emerge, Earth had a dry and arid climate with minimal rainfall. Early dinosaurs were relatively small, around 2 meters in length. For instance, the Eoraptor is considered an ancestor of other dinosaurs. As time passed, Earth's climate underwent dramatic changes. The Triassic period ended about 201 million years ago when Pangaea started breaking apart due to large-scale volcanic eruptions. The release of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide into the atmosphere led to intense global warming, followed by cooling when aerosols blocked sunlight. Ocean acidification occurred due to the interaction of carbon dioxide and sulfur dioxide with water. Amidst these changes, most reptiles and other species, being cold-blooded, struggled to survive. However, dinosaurs, warm-blooded like humans, fared better in adapting to the changing environment. The volcanic eruptions and climate fluctuations continued for about 600,000 years, leading to the extinction of numerous species. The only survivors were dinosaurs, crocodiles, turtles, and early mammals. This event is known as the Triassic-Jurassic Extinction Event. With the Triassic period coming to a close, the Jurassic period began, lasting from 201 million years ago to 145 million years ago. You might recognize the name from the famous "Jurassic Park" films, which took inspiration from this period. In conclusion, dinosaurs once ruled the Earth for millions of years, but their reign came to an end due to environmental upheavals. Their fossils and remains continue to captivate our imagination, and with ongoing research, we are constantly uncovering new insights into their ancient world. The study of dinosaurs remains a fascinating field, holding many more secrets waiting to be revealed. Thank you for joining us on this prehistoric journey today.

Nature
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