How long was The Age of Dinosaurs (Mesozoic Era)?
The Age of Dinosaurs (Mesozoic Era) lasted 186,000,000 years (252,000,000 BC – 66,000,000 BC) across 3 major phases.
Duration Overview
Duration
186,000,000 years
Start
252,000,000 BC
End
66,000,000 BC
Category
Eras & Periods
186 million years (252-66 million years ago). Divided into Triassic, Jurassic, and Cretaceous periods. Ended by asteroid impact.
Phases & Periods
252,000,000 BC – 201,000,000 BC
51 million years. First dinosaurs appear. Pangaea intact. Hot and dry.
201,000,000 BC – 145,000,000 BC
56 million years. Giant sauropods. Pangaea breaks apart. Lush vegetation.
145,000,000 BC – 66,000,000 BC
79 million years. T. rex, Triceratops. Flowering plants. Ends with Chicxulub asteroid.
For perspective...
That's 186 million years — a span of deep geological time. Entire species evolved and went extinct within this period.