They lived during prehistoric times. Prehistoric times came before anyone could write down what went on in the world. Many of these incredible animals lived in the Mesozoic Era (mes-uh-ZOH-ick EHR-uh), which began 251 million years ago. We call this time the “Age of Reptiles.” The Mesozoic lasted for about 180 million years. There were no humans on earth yet. But during this time and even before, fierce animals lived on the earth and in the seas. Much of what we know about them comes from their fossils. There was just one huge continent when the Mesozoic Era began. It is called Pangaea (pan-JEE-uh). Over millions of years, it broke apart into the continents we know today. At this time, the earth was much warmer. There was little or no ice at the North and South Poles. The seas were higher. They covered much of the land that exists today. Giant ferns and flowering plants grew in the warm climate. Dinosaurs roamed the earth. Large winged reptiles flew in the skies overhead. Huge, dragon-like reptiles, monstrous sharks, and other scary creatures filled the ocean.
