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Grassland Mammals
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About halfway through the Tertiary period, the landscape began to change. The forests that had sheltered all the strange mammals of earlier times began to die out and they were replaced by open grasslands.
As this happened, new mammals evolved that were more suited to living on the grassy plains. Creatures began to evolve that looked something like today's animals.
(A) HOOVES
Running animals evolved. Their long legs and light hooves enabled them to run swiftly away from danger.
(B) SWIFT HUNTERS
Fleet-footed meat eaters evolved to hunt the fast-running grass eaters.
(C) TREE EATERS
Although there were fewer trees, there were still animals, such as Moropus, that could feed from high branches.
(D) LONG SNOUTS
Grass eaters had long snouts so that while they ate, they could keep their eyes above the grass to watch for danger.
(E) BURROWS
Burrowing mammals could escape from fires and meat eaters by going below ground.
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Previous:
Back
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Book:
Prehistoric Life
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Section:
Prehistoric
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Chapter:
Grassland Mammals
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