Cenozoic Era

Cenozoic Era

The Cenozoic Era began when the Mesozoic ended 65 mya. The Cenozoic gave witness to the rise of mammals. The Cenozoic Era is called "the era of mammals." The Cenozoic Era is divided into two periods and six epochs. The two periods are the Tertiary and the Quaternary. The seven epochs include: the Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene, Pliocene, Pleistocene and Holocene. The Cenozoic Era is marked by the rise and diversification of mammals as they gained dominance over the Earth. The era is also marked by repeated ice ages which altered and modified not just the land, but also life itself.

Tertiary 65 mya to 2 mya

The Tertiary lasted 63 million years. This period is called "the age of the rise of mammals." Mankind also appeared for the first time in the fossil record around 5 million years ago late in the Tertiary Period. The Tertiary Period includes the Paleocene, Eocene, Oligocene, Miocene and Pliocene epochs.

Quaternary 2 mya to present

The Quaternary has lasted 2 million years so far. We are in the Quaternary period. This period is known as "the age of man," since mankind has dominated the Earth since the beginning of this period. The Quaternary contains the Pleistocene and Holocene epochs.

The Seven Epochs represent changes in climate such as ice ages and the rise of different species of mammals.

The Seven Epochs are:

Paleocene (65 mya to 55 mya - Rise of Mammals)

Eocene (55 mya to 38 mya - Saber Tooth Cats, Primitive Horses)

Oligocene (38 mya to 25 mya - First Primates)

Miocene (25 mya to 5 mya - Apes)

Pliocene (5 mya to 2 mya - First Man)

Pleistocene (2 mya to 10,000 years ago - The Rise of Man)

Holocene (10,000 years ago to present - Modern Man)