The Triassic Period was a time of evolution. With the extinction of 95 percent marine and 70 percent terrestrial animals in the Permian(the period before), planet Earth was left almost vacant of life forms. It was about 245 million years ago that a new species took over, the dinosaurs. They will dominate planet Earth for 150 million years, and during their reign, they will evolve into many different forms. The marine reptiles will diversify even more than they did in the Permian, and the first pterosaurs (flying reptiles) will evolve. Another group of animals that are still alive today will evolve as well, the mammals. The Triassic ended with possible volcanic eruptions that destroyed a substantial amount of species, including a large amount of dinosaurs. Archosaurs died out in the cataclysm, and due to their absence, dinosaurs begin their world domination on Earth that will last the next 150 million years.
This is a picture of Earth during the Triassic period. The continents are conjoined into one supercontinent, Pangea. Gondwana is another supercontinent comprising of Antarctica, Australia, and India. The Tethys Ocean is beginning to form as well as the Paleo-Tethys. The gigantic Panthalassic Ocean, which has enveloped the entire Earth since the late Paleozoic(era before the Mesozoic) has changed very little, and would last until the end Triassic. The Andes Mountains of South America are beginning to form as well as the Ural Mountains in Eurasia. Earth looked much like an alien world back then compared to now, and its creatures are alien in ways as well. The Triassic was a very dry and lush world that comprised of many species. Earth recovered greatly from the gigantic extinction of the Permian, and this has allowed new life forms to take control of planet Earth.
Hear is a small list of Triassic fauna around the world.
Name: Coelophysis (hollow form)
Length: 9 feet
Height: 3 feet
Weight: 55 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, Small animals. possibly scavenger
Where and When it lived: North America, Mid to Late Triassic (248 to 206 million years ago)
Description: Coelophysis was a small, predatory dinosaur that specialized in running, pursuing, and killing small prey. It also occasionally scavenged on dead and dying animals. It was one of the first dinosaurs to evolve. The animal had predators of its own surprisingly such as Postosuchus (a giant crocodile like animal). It was small, but it would be the predecessor of much larger and more fearsome carnivorous dinosaurs. The little dino disappeared around 206 million years ago, possibly due to climate change and lack of food.
Length: 9 feet
Height: 3 feet
Weight: 55 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, Small animals. possibly scavenger
Where and When it lived: North America, Mid to Late Triassic (248 to 206 million years ago)
Description: Coelophysis was a small, predatory dinosaur that specialized in running, pursuing, and killing small prey. It also occasionally scavenged on dead and dying animals. It was one of the first dinosaurs to evolve. The animal had predators of its own surprisingly such as Postosuchus (a giant crocodile like animal). It was small, but it would be the predecessor of much larger and more fearsome carnivorous dinosaurs. The little dino disappeared around 206 million years ago, possibly due to climate change and lack of food.
Name: Plateosaurus (broad/flat lizard)
Length: 23 to 27 feet long
Height: 13 feet tall
Weight: 1500 pounds
Diet: Herbivore, Plants and Ferns
Where and When it lived: North America, Mid to Late Triassic (214 to 204 million years ago)
Description: Plateosaurus was the earliest predecessor of a group of long necked herbivores called sauropods. It traveled in large herds and sometimes footprints of these giants can be found preserved in volcanic ash. During its time, it was one of the largest dinosaurs. Due to its size, it had few predators. One predator it might have feared was the crocodile like Postosuchus, but it had some defenses. It carried sharp claws that it might have used to ward off enemies. It also might have simply used its size to intimidate foes. The dinosaur disappeared around 204 million years ago, probably due to change in climate that might have affected its food sources.
Length: 23 to 27 feet long
Height: 13 feet tall
Weight: 1500 pounds
Diet: Herbivore, Plants and Ferns
Where and When it lived: North America, Mid to Late Triassic (214 to 204 million years ago)
Description: Plateosaurus was the earliest predecessor of a group of long necked herbivores called sauropods. It traveled in large herds and sometimes footprints of these giants can be found preserved in volcanic ash. During its time, it was one of the largest dinosaurs. Due to its size, it had few predators. One predator it might have feared was the crocodile like Postosuchus, but it had some defenses. It carried sharp claws that it might have used to ward off enemies. It also might have simply used its size to intimidate foes. The dinosaur disappeared around 204 million years ago, probably due to change in climate that might have affected its food sources.
Name: Postosuchus (crocodile from Post)
Length: 10 to 15 feet long
Height: 6.5 feet
Weight : 1,000 to 1,500 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, any animal, possibly scavenger
Where and When it lived: North America, Middle to Late Triassic (230 to 200 million years ago)
Description: Postosuchus looked a lot similar to a dinosaur, but it surprisingly is not one. It is an archosaur, a group of reptiles that may have shaped the evolution for modern crocodiles. The predator boasted a large amount of sharp teeth and used its powerful legs and arms to take any prey. The predator was clearly meant to be feared, and it was feared by a lot of other dinosaurs and it was even feared by other archosaurs. Its legs and arms were powerful, but it may not have been the fastest runner, and may have relied on ambush rather than pursuit. There is some debate that it may have been a cannibal, but that may not be a factual statement. The crocodile like animal died out around 200 million years ago, possibly due to climate change and lack of food.
Length: 10 to 15 feet long
Height: 6.5 feet
Weight : 1,000 to 1,500 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, any animal, possibly scavenger
Where and When it lived: North America, Middle to Late Triassic (230 to 200 million years ago)
Description: Postosuchus looked a lot similar to a dinosaur, but it surprisingly is not one. It is an archosaur, a group of reptiles that may have shaped the evolution for modern crocodiles. The predator boasted a large amount of sharp teeth and used its powerful legs and arms to take any prey. The predator was clearly meant to be feared, and it was feared by a lot of other dinosaurs and it was even feared by other archosaurs. Its legs and arms were powerful, but it may not have been the fastest runner, and may have relied on ambush rather than pursuit. There is some debate that it may have been a cannibal, but that may not be a factual statement. The crocodile like animal died out around 200 million years ago, possibly due to climate change and lack of food.
Name: Herrerasaurus (Herrera's Lizard)
Length: 10 feet
Height: 4 feet
Weight: 100 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, small to medium sized animals, possibly scavenger.
Where and When it Lived: South America, Middle to Late Triassic (230 to 200 million years ago)
Description: Herrerasaurus was also one of the first dinosaurs to evolve. It was a medium carnivore that was still out dominated by a much larger species of reptile called the archosaurs(crocodile like animals). The animal may have hunted in packs to make it more efficient at hunting possibly larger dinosaurs. It hunted small animals and possibly scavenged on the dead and dying. It was very fast as well, making it excellent at pursuing prey. It also carried sharp hand and toe claws for tearing meat. A cunning hunter, but still out competed by the larger archosaurs. This dinosaur may not be top predator, but its future successors will.
Length: 10 feet
Height: 4 feet
Weight: 100 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, small to medium sized animals, possibly scavenger.
Where and When it Lived: South America, Middle to Late Triassic (230 to 200 million years ago)
Description: Herrerasaurus was also one of the first dinosaurs to evolve. It was a medium carnivore that was still out dominated by a much larger species of reptile called the archosaurs(crocodile like animals). The animal may have hunted in packs to make it more efficient at hunting possibly larger dinosaurs. It hunted small animals and possibly scavenged on the dead and dying. It was very fast as well, making it excellent at pursuing prey. It also carried sharp hand and toe claws for tearing meat. A cunning hunter, but still out competed by the larger archosaurs. This dinosaur may not be top predator, but its future successors will.
Name: Eoraptor (Dawn Plunderer)
Length: 3 feet long
Height: 1 foot
Weight: 20 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, small animals, possibly scavenger
Where and When it lived: South America, Middle Triassic 230 to 225 million years ago
Description: Eoraptor was one of the earliest dinosaurs to evolve. It was a small, nimble, speedy predator that scurried the landscapes of Triassic South America 230 to 225 million years ago. It was roughly the size of your house cat. Its teeth were sharp and needle like, which meant it probably ate small animals like lizards and insects. It also had sharp claws to help shred meat. Due to its small size, it probably hunted in packs to increase its hunting effectiveness. Hunting alone would almost be certain death due to the larger carnivores out their. It hunted in the same environment and time as Herrerasaurus. Like almost all Triassic dinosaurs, Eoraptor will shape the future for the dinosaurs in the future.
Length: 3 feet long
Height: 1 foot
Weight: 20 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, small animals, possibly scavenger
Where and When it lived: South America, Middle Triassic 230 to 225 million years ago
Description: Eoraptor was one of the earliest dinosaurs to evolve. It was a small, nimble, speedy predator that scurried the landscapes of Triassic South America 230 to 225 million years ago. It was roughly the size of your house cat. Its teeth were sharp and needle like, which meant it probably ate small animals like lizards and insects. It also had sharp claws to help shred meat. Due to its small size, it probably hunted in packs to increase its hunting effectiveness. Hunting alone would almost be certain death due to the larger carnivores out their. It hunted in the same environment and time as Herrerasaurus. Like almost all Triassic dinosaurs, Eoraptor will shape the future for the dinosaurs in the future.
Name: Eudimorphodon (true dimorphic tooth)
Wingspan: Two feet across
Weight: 5 to 10 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, small animals like fish and lizards, possibly scavenger
Where and when it lived: Europe, Late Triassic (210 million years ago)
Description: Eudimorphodon was one of the first pterosaurs to take to the skies. It was relatively small, about the size of a crow. It ate animals like fish and lizards, and was blinding fast. Due to its wing structure, it probably relied on air currents to keep it soaring in the sky. Due to its skeletal structure, it couldn't have walked on two legs. Instead, it hopped about on the shores of Europe 210 million years ago. If alive today, it would probably fill the same niche as modern seagulls. The creature vanished from existence, but it would lead to the evolution of much larger pterosaurs, some the size of small jet planes.
Wingspan: Two feet across
Weight: 5 to 10 pounds
Diet: Carnivore, small animals like fish and lizards, possibly scavenger
Where and when it lived: Europe, Late Triassic (210 million years ago)
Description: Eudimorphodon was one of the first pterosaurs to take to the skies. It was relatively small, about the size of a crow. It ate animals like fish and lizards, and was blinding fast. Due to its wing structure, it probably relied on air currents to keep it soaring in the sky. Due to its skeletal structure, it couldn't have walked on two legs. Instead, it hopped about on the shores of Europe 210 million years ago. If alive today, it would probably fill the same niche as modern seagulls. The creature vanished from existence, but it would lead to the evolution of much larger pterosaurs, some the size of small jet planes.