• Natural Sciences -> Geology and paleontology

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Did any mammals exist during the Mesozoic era?

Cheryle Robecon

Yes, there were mammals that existed during the Mesozoic Era. This time period lasted from about 252 million to 66 million years ago. It is also known as the age of the dinosaurs because many different types of dinosaurs lived during this time.

Mammals during the Mesozoic Era were not like the mammals we know today. They were much smaller and less diverse. They were also overshadowed by the dinosaurs, which were the dominant animals of the time.

The first mammals appeared during the Late Triassic Period, about 200 million years ago. They were small, shrew-like creatures that mostly lived in trees. One of the more famous Mesozoic mammals is the Morganucodon, which lived during the Jurassic Period, about 160 million years ago. It was about the size of a modern-day mouse and it is believed to be one of our earliest ancestors.

Many of the Mesozoic mammals were nocturnal, meaning they were active at night. This was likely because the dinosaurs were active during the day and it was safer for the mammals to come out at night. They also lived in small, hidden areas, like burrows and tree trunks, to avoid predators.

It wasn't until the end of the Mesozoic Era, about 66 million years ago, that the dinosaurs and many other animals went extinct. This allowed the mammals to evolve and diversify into the many different species we have today, including cats, dogs, and humans.

In conclusion, there were mammals that existed during the Mesozoic Era, but they were small and less diverse compared to the mammals we know today. They were overshadowed by the dinosaurs and lived in small, hidden areas to avoid predators. The extinction of the dinosaurs allowed the mammals to evolve and become the diverse group of animals we know today.