The dinosaur era was one of the most amazing periods in the Earth’s history.

Dinosaurs roamed the Earth for about 180 million years before becoming extinct. They first appeared around 252 million years ago, at the start of the Triassic Period, and vanished around 66 million years ago, at the end of the Cretaceous Period. That’s an incredibly long reign, far longer than humans have existed!

The Age of Dinosaurs - a time when thunderous footsteps shook the Earth, and dinosaurs ruled the land with a dazzling variety of species. From the first bold steps in the Triassic, to the soaring giants of the Jurassic, and the mighty hunters of the Cretaceous, this era was a masterpiece of prehistoric life on Earth.

The Age of Reptiles - a broader term that includes not only dinosaurs, but also marine reptiles like plesiosaurs and ichthyosaurs, and flying reptiles such as pterosaurs.

The Triassic Period (252–201 million years ago) was the start of the Mesozoic Era, when life slowly recovered after a massive extinction. Early reptiles, amphibians, and the first dinosaurs appeared, while small mammals began to evolve. The Earth was mostly one giant landmass called Pangaea, which made the climate dry and harsh. Oceans filled with new marine life, and by the end of the period, another extinction cleared the way for dinosaurs to take over.

The Jurassic Period (201–145 million years ago) was a time when dinosaurs ruled the Earth. The giant landmass Pangaea broke apart, and the climate became warmer and wetter, helping plants and animals thrive. Huge plant-eating dinosaurs like Diplodocus walked the land, while meat-eaters like Allosaurus hunted them. Early birds began to appear, like Archaeopteryx, which had feathers. The seas were full of swimming reptiles, and forests of tall conifers covered much of the land.

The Cretaceous Period (145–66 million years ago) was the grand finale of the Mesozoic Era, a time of dazzling change and fierce giants. Flowering plants bloomed for the first time, painting the prehistoric world with colour. New dinosaurs emerged, from the bone-crushing Tyrannosaurus rex to the horned Triceratops and the swift, clever Velociraptor. Birds took to the skies, and tiny mammals scurried in the shadows, quietly preparing for a future they couldn’t yet imagine.

Then, in a moment that changed everything, a massive asteroid struck near what is now Mexico. The skies darkened, the Earth trembled, and life as it was ended. Nearly all species vanished, including every dinosaur that couldn’t fly. The Age of Dinosaurs was over, but their fossils still whisper secrets and live on in our imaginations.

“A giant space rock hit Earth, changing the world and ending the time of the dinosaurs.”

Triceratops - “The Three-Horned Face”

Spinosaurus - “The Sail-Backed Swimmer”

Velociraptor - “The Swift Thief”

Stegosaurus - “The Plated Lizard”

A tiny fossil with a big story.