Mesozoic Era: The Age of Dinosaurs
Ever wonder where dinosaurs lived and what era? They once lived all around us, read more to see below!
Dinosaurs lived between 245 and 66 million years ago, in a time known as the Mesozoic Era. The Mesozoic Era is divided into three periods by scientists known as the Triassic, Jurassic and Cretaceous. The Mesozoic Era was a time of tectonic, climatic and evolutionary activity.
Geologic Periods
- Triassic (251.0 Ma to 199.6 Ma)
- Jurassic (199.6 Ma to 145.5 Ma)
- Cretaceous(145.5 Ma to 65.5 Ma)
Incredible Map of Pangea with Modern-Day Borders
There was once a supercontinent called Pangea. During the 165 million years of existence this supercontinent slowly broke apart.
Triassic Period
The Triassic Period, in geologic time, is the first period of the Mesozoic Era. It began 253 million years ago. All of Earth's landmasses had come together to form Pangaea, a supercontinent. At the beginning of the Triassic, most of the continents were concentrated in the giant C-shaped supercontinent known as Pangaea.
Dinosaurs in the Triassic Period
- Chindesaurus
- Coelophysis
- Eoraptor
- Guaibasaurus
- Herrerasaurus
- Liliensternus
- Lycorhinus
- Melanorosaurus
- Mussaurus
- Plateosaurus
- Pro-Compsognathus
- Riojasaurus
- Saltopus
- Staurikosaurus
- Thecodontosaurus
Where did we find Dinosaurs in the Triassic Period:
Explore the map below to see where dinosaurs were found
Jurassic Period
"The Golden Age of Dinosaurs"
The Jurassic Period was a golden time for dinosaurs, which flourished 180 million years. It personally is my favorite period of dinosaurs. It was during this time that huge dinosaurs made their mark in a big way-literally! The Brachiosaurus stood up to 52 feet tall, and weighed more than 80 tones. The Diplodocus was 90 feet long!
Dinosaurs in the Early Jurassic Period
- Aardonyx
- Ammosaurus
- Anchisaurus
- Barapasaurus
- Cryolophosaurus
- Dilophosaurus
- Heterodontosaurus
- Jingshanosaurus
- Kotasaurus
- Lesothosaurus
- Lophostropheus
- Lufengosaurus
- Massospondylus
- Pantydraco
- Sarcosaurus
- Scelidosaurus
- Scutrellosasurus
- Vulcanodo
- Yimenosaurus
- Yunnanosaurus
26 Dinosaurs from the Mid Jurassic
43 Dinosaurs from the Late Jurassic
Where did we find Dinosaurs in the Early Jurassic Period:
Explore the map below to see where dinosaurs were found
Cretaceous Period
The Cretaceous Period was the longest segment of the Mesozoic Era. It lasted approximately 79 million years. It represents more time than has elapsed since the extinction of dinosaurs, which occurred at the end of the period. The best known dinosaurs from this period were the Tyrannosaurus and the herbivorous Iguanodon, as well as the Triceratops, a three horned dinosaur.
Dinosaurs in the Early Cretaceous
- Acrocanthosaurus
- Afrovenator
- Amargasaurus
- Aragosaurus
- Archaeoceratops
- Atlasscopcosaurus
- Austrosaurus
- Baryonyx
- Becklespinax
- Beipiaosaurus
- Caudipteryx
- Cedarpelta
- Chubutisaurus
- Confuiusornis
- Deinonychus
- Eotyrannus
- Equijubus
- Erketu
- Fukuiraptor
- Fukuisaurus
- Gastonia
- Gigantosaurus
- Gobisaurus
- Harpymimus
- Hylaeosaurus
64 Dinosaurs in the Early Cretaceous
Dinosaurs in the Late Cretaceous (139)
Where did we find Dinosaurs in the Early Cretaceous Period:
Explore the map below to see where dinosaurs were found
Hope you enjoyed exploring the map and learned where dinosaurs once lived!
