Glossary: Mesozoic

The Era of geologic time (from the end of the Paleozoic, 248 million years ago, to the beginning of the Cenozoic Era, 65 million years ago), including the Triassic Period, the Jurassic Period, and the Cretaceous Period. This Era is characterized by the development of flying reptiles, birds, and flowering plants, and the appearance and extinction of dinosaurs.