The peculiarities of the climate in different geological epochs contributed to the rapid development of a particular vegetation and the appearance of certain species of animals. So, the conditions of the Jurassic period were the best fit for the life of dinosaurs. They settled throughout the land and in the aquatic environment on all continents of the planet. Dinosaurs dominated in the Mesozoic era, and thanks to numerous films, they gained widespread fame.
But besides them, the history of evolution knows other species, which also disappeared over time. Many of them were gigantic and astounding. We have found 10 of the most incredible extinct species that once lived on Earth, which are more like monsters from the worst nightmares.
Megatherium
An extinct genus of giant sloths lived in the Pliocene and Pleistocene in South and partly North America from 2 million to 8000 years ago. The weight of the animal could reach up to 4 tons. In height, they were almost twice the size of an elephant, and their length was almost 6 meters. They moved mainly on their hind legs. The structure of their teeth suggests that they were herbivores, but some scientists have reason to believe that sloths did not neglect carrion and large animals.
Gigantopithecus
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This is a genus of great apes that existed in the Late Miocene, Pliocene and Pleistocene. Their remains have been found in what is now India, China and Vietnam. Presumably, their height ranged from 3 to 4 meters and they weighed up to 550 kg. Their diet was based on bamboo.
Dunkleoste
The genus of armored fish of the order arthrodir of the placoderm class lived 415-360 million years ago, in the Devonian period. They were the largest marine predators of their era. Scientists have not been able to determine the exact size of the fish. Presumably, their head exceeded one meter, and the length of their entire body was at least 6 meters and could reach 20 meters. The fish's teeth were replaced by powerful bone plates, which developed a pressure of 55 MPa, which is comparable to a crocodile bite.
Fororakosovye
From the Paleocene to the Pliocene 62-2 million years ago, one of the inhabitants of South America was the family of flightless birds of prey of the order crane-like. The height of the birds was at least 1 meter, maximum - 3. The birds had a powerful beak and were predatory. They ate mainly the meat of animals they killed and carrion.
Megalania
The largest terrestrial lizard known to science lived on Earth in the Pleistocene epoch, starting from 1.6 million years ago and ending about 40,000 years ago. The species was distributed throughout Australia. The length of the lizard ranged from 4.5 to 9 m, and its weight reached from 331 to 2200 kg. Lizards settled in sparse forests and grassy savannas and fed on mammals.
Eagle Haast
This is the largest bird of the historical era. She weighed 10, or even all 14 kg. The females were larger. Their wingspan reached 2.6 meters. The main habitat of the eagle was the South Island in New Zealand. They fed mainly on moa birds, as well as other large species of flightless birds.
Short-faced bear
A giant species of the bear family inhabited the planet in the late Pleistocene, about 44,000 and 12,500 years ago. The animal lived in North America. Judging by the remains, the height of the bear at the withers was up to 1.8 meters, and the weight was about 600 kg, while large individuals could reach 1100 kg. The bear hunted large animals like buffalo, horses and deer.
Deinosuchus
About 80-73 million years ago, the most dangerous inhabitant of certain water bodies was the “terrible crocodile” - an extinct genus of alligators. It was the dominant apex predator in the coastal regions of eastern North America. More than 14-15 meters in length, weighing over 12 tons - in its dimensions Deinosuchus was several times larger than the modern crocodile. This size and strong teeth was enough for him to kill a large dinosaur and a giant sea turtle.
Titanoboa
A close relative of the boa constrictor, who lived in the area of Colombia 58-60 million years ago, weighed over a ton and reached 13 meters in length. The snake killed the victim with its body, wrapping itself around it and tightening the rings tightly.
Megalodon
Even 28 million years ago, during the late Oligocene to the Pleistocene, one of the most dangerous predators on the planet was the shark. Its dimensions were up to 16 meters in length, and it weighed 47 tons. The force of the bite is believed to have reached about 10.8 tons. Unlike other species, the megalodon was ubiquitous. His diet consisted of large fish and cetaceans.