Paleogene (Cenozoic 1)

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Neogene Period (Cenozoic 2) >

Cenozoic Era – Time for Ancient Life

The Cenozoic Era, named after the Greek for ‘New Life’, is split into three geological periods.

Cenozoic Era 1: Paleogene Period – Mammals and Birds Flourish

Key Events

Continents drift towards their current positions.
With the dinosaurs extinct, mammals and birds become dominant.
Mammals evolve, grow larger and diversify:
- Species including the first rhinos, horses, camels, bears, dogs and cats occupy the land.
- The first primates (relatives of humans) take to the trees.
- Cetaceans (which include whales and dolphins) evolve in the seas.
Plants adapt to the cool conditions, with the first grasses appearing.

Illustration of life during the Paleogene Period. — Illustration of life during the Paleogene Period. Copyright: Vix Southgate

Facts, Debates & Trivia

The Paleogene name is derived from the Greek for ‘Old Birth’.
The success of mammals is attributed to their development of the placenta, which enablesthem to protect and nourish babies in the womb and give birth to relatively mature infants.

Conditions

The climate is warm for the first 30 millions years.
During the remaining time, it becomes cool and dry.

The Earth 50 million years ago. The red dot marks the location of what will eventually become Cornwall. Credit: C.R. Scotese/I. Webster

Timeline

201.3 – 145.0 million years ago

(56.3 million years)

1 metre = 10 million years

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Proterozoic Eon

Paleozoic Era: 1. Cambrian Period

Paleozoic Era: 2. Ordovician Period

Paleozoic Era: 3. Silurian Period

Paleozoic Era: 4. Devonian Period

Paleozoic Era: 5. Carboniferous Period

Paleozoic Era: 6. Permian Period

Mesozoic Era: 1. Triassic Period

Mesozoic Era: 2. Jurassic Period

Mesozoic Era: 3. Cretaceous Period

Cenozoic Era: 1. Paleogene Period

Cenozoic Era: 2. Neogene Period

Cenozoic Era: 3. Quaternary Period

Acknowledgements

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