Up until 65 million years ago there were a vast
number and variety of dinosaurs. Then within a very short period of
time, they all died. Not only did the dinosaurs suddenly disappear
but other prehistoric creatures such as the pterodactyl vanished. In
fact an examination of fossils shows that 75% of all species living
on Earth, both plant and animal, disappeared along with the
dinosaurs. What occurred was a mass extinction, the world-wide death
of most of the living creatures on the Earth.
The death of the dinosaurs is one of the
greatest mysteries of all time. How do scientists know that no
dinosaurs lived after 65 million years ago? Scientists can tell how
old the layers of rock are, and no dinosaur bones have been found in
rock that is less than 65 million years old.
Read about Earth's
history