The Cenozoic Era

The Earth's development era lasted a different number of years. They included in themselves and different periods. The Cenozoic era is the newest geological epoch. Its duration is 65 million years. The Cenozoic era is divided into three periods: anthropogenous, Neogene and Paleogene. Each of them, in turn, is divided into epochs.

The Cenozoic era continues today.

The Paleogene period includes Oligocene, Eocene, Paleocene, Neogene - Pliocene and Miocene, Anthropogenic - Holocene and Pleistocene.

How life went on in the Cenozoic era

65 million years ago the Paleogene period began.

The first era was Paleocene. Since it began the Cenozoic era. At that time, the continents continued their movement, and Gondwana (the great continent) continued to split. South America was completely cut off from the world .

On land, mammals, early primates began to develop, insectivores and rodents appeared. There were large representatives of both herbivores and predators. In the sea waters, new species of sharks and other carnivorous fish began to develop.

Among the plants began to spread flower species.

Eocene era began fifty-five million years ago. The main continents began to be located approximately the way they are today. South America has ceased to be associated with Antarctica, India has moved to Asia. Australia began to disperse with Antarctica.

On land appeared lemurs, bats, large herbivores (ancestors of cows, horses, elephants, pigs and others). Other animal species also evolved.

The number of freshwater fish increased , whales returned to the water.

Palms began to grow in temperate latitudes, the forests of many parts of the Earth were lush with vegetation.

The Oligocene era began thirty-eight million years ago. The Australian continent and Antarctica were completely divided, and India crossed the equatorial line. The climate on the planet has become cooler. An extensive glacial cover formed above the South Pole. This led to the expansion of land and the reduction of water volume. In connection with the cooling, vegetation changed. Instead of the rainforests the steppes are spread.

Herbivorous mammals began to actively develop in the steppe territories. There were new types of rabbits, rabbits, rhinoceroses, the first representatives of ruminants appeared.

Twenty five million years ago the Neogene period began. It includes two epochs.

During the Miocene, almost all continents continued to move. As a result of the clash of Africa with Europe and Asia, the Alps were formed. After the union of India and Asia, the Himalayas were formed. At the same time, the Andes and the Rockies arose. At the same time, the Australian and South American continents remained isolated from the world. On each continent, its unique vegetation and fauna developed. The spread of the ice sheet to Antarctica provoked an even colder temperature.

During the Miocene, the animals migrated from one continent to another.

Five million years ago, Pliocene began.

The continents were located practically in the same places as today. The cooling and spreading of the steppes continued.

Mammals and herbivores actively developed. The horse evolved. The birthplace of this animal is North America. From there the horses spread all over the planet.

By the end of the Pliocene, the North and South America became connected with each other. On the formed "land bridge" began the movement of animals from one continent to another. The researchers suggest that at this time, many species died out due to the aggravated struggle for survival.

Two million years ago the Anthropogenous period began.

The first era - the Pleistocene - is characterized by the spread of the ice sheet. At this time, periods of warming and cooling alternated, and sea level fluctuated. It should be noted that such a situation still exists.

Many species of animals have adapted to the climate. The first people appeared.

About ten millennia ago, Holocene began - the second epoch of the Anthropogenous period.

The climate resembled modern, alternating periods of cooling and warming. The development of the human race began.