PALEOZOIC EARTH

570 Million Years to 230 Million Years Ago
Paleozoic means "ancient life".  The Paleozoic Era began approximately 570 million years ago and was a very active time period in Earth's history.  Oceans covered most of the Earth and a "supercontinent" of land called Pangaea had already formed.  In addition, mountains began to form over what is now North America and Europe.  Although the Earth has cooled a lot compared to the Precambrian Era, it is still very warm and there are little seasonal variations.

The Paleozoic Era is sometimes known as the "Age of Fishes" but it could also be known as the "Age of Invertebrates or Amphibians".  An explosion of multi-celled life occurred during this time.  Fossils of this time represent nearly all the major animals groups that can be found on Earth today.  In fact, most of the major groups of animals first appeared within only a few million years!

Life forms in the Paleozoic Era include mollusks and trilobites (animals with shells).The first jawless fish could be found in the oceans as well as simple ocean plants.  Although invertebrates were the dominant form of life, the Paleozoic Era also hosted the first reptiles and amphibians. There was also a large variety of insects.

Plants begin to invade the land.  Early land plants looked much like ferns, however, the first evergreen forests also formed during this time.

The most exciting part is still to come... Learn about the Mesozoic Era by clicking here.

 
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Home page - Earth's history
Precambrian Era
Mesozoic Era
Cenozoic Era
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