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Prehistoric Giants LEVELED BOOK • Y (Other Than Dinosaurs) a Reading A–Z Level Y Leveled Book Prehistoric Giants Word Count: 2,161 (Other Than Dinosaurs)

Prehistoric Giants LEVELED BOOK • Y (Other Than Dinosaurs) a Reading A–Z Level Y Leveled Book Prehistoric Giants Word Count: 2,161 (Other Than Dinosaurs)

Prehistoric Giants LEVELED BOOK • Y (Other Than ) A Reading A–Z Level Y Leveled Book Prehistoric Giants Word Count: 2,161 (Other Than Dinosaurs)

Written by Alfred J. Smuskiewicz

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Photo Credits: Glossary tentacles (n.) long, flexible armlike growths on an Front cover, pages 9, 13, 16, 17: © DEA PICTURE LIBRARY/age fotostock; that the animal uses to feel things, to hold back cover: © Dean Mitchell/Alamy; title page: © Dirk Wiersma/SPL/Photo amphibians (n.) that live part of their lives in water Researchers, Inc.; page 3: © John Reader/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; page 6: things, or to move (p . 6) and part on land (p . 4) © DK Images; page 8: Jon Hughes/Bedrock Studios © Dorling Kindersley; Prehistoric Giants page 11: © Sheila Terry/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; page 12 (left): © Richard trilobites (n.) common prehistoric sea animals that were arthropod (n.) any animal whose body has a hard covering Ellis/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; pages 12 (right), 15, 22 (left): © Hemera covered with a soft shell (p . 6) and jointed legs, including insects, crabs, Technologies/Jupiterimages Corporation; page 14: © Chris Butler/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; page 18: © Roger Harris/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; lobsters, spiders, and centipedes (p . 9) (Other Than Dinosaurs) page 19: © Jupiterimages Corporation; page 20: Mick Loates © Dorling Index Kindersley; page 21: © Photo Researchers, Inc.; page 22 (right): DNA a chemical in cells that has instructions for the © iStockphoto.com/Yael Miller (deoxyribonucleic formation and growth of new cells and new amphibian, 4, 10, 11 insect, 4, 8, 9 Front cover: Gastornis attacks prey. acid) (n.) organisms (p . 4) Arthropleura, 5, 7, 9 invertebrate, 6 Back cover: Emu feet look as if they might belong to a prehistoric animal like eras (n.) large divisions of time in Earth’s history: arthropod, 9 King Kong, 4, 19 Gastornis. Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and (p . 5) Bigfoot, 19 Koolasuchus, 5, 7, 11 Title page: of marine life from between 470 million and 360 million ago extinct (adj.) no longer living (p . 10) , 4, 8, 15–18 Leedsichthys, 5, 7, 10 Table of Contents: (portrait, top left) defined the ways scientists decide how an extinct animal, such as Megatherium (top), might look. Geologist habitat (n.) the kind of place where a plant or animal Cameroceras, 5, 6, 8 Liopleurodon, 5, 7, 13 William Buckland (foreground, left) found a tiny ’s jaw bone (under lives in nature (p . 11) centipede, 4, 8, 9 mammal, 2, 4, 18, 21 magnifying glass) with a ’s toe bone, which led him and Cuvier to decide that had lived in more ancient times than anyone had ever known. (n.) animals that eat only plants (p . 18) Cymbospondylus, 5, 7, 12, 13 Mammuthus, 5, 7, 20 ice age (n.) a period in Earth’s history when ice sheets dinosaur, 2, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16 Meganeura, 5, 7–9 covered large areas of land (p . 20) dolphin, 13 Megatherium, 2, 5, 7, 21 invertebrates (n.) animals that do not have backbones (p . 6) DNA, 4 Ornithocheirus, 5, 7, 15 marine (adj.) of or relating to the sea (the ocean) (p . 12) dragonfly, 8 paleontologist, 4 paleontologists scientists who study fossils to learn about Elasmosaurus, 5, 7, 14 period, 5, 7 (n.) animals and plants that lived long ago (p . 4) , 20, 22 Phorusrhacos, 5, 7, 17 periods (n.) divisions of time—such as , , era, 5, 6, 10, 18 reptile, 4, 12–15, 18 and Tertiary—that make up larger eras of fish, 10–12, 14, 15 , 18, 22 time in Earth’s history (p . 5) , 2, 4–6, 21 salamander, 11 predators (n.) animals that hunt and eat other animals Gastornis, 2, 7, 16, 17 shark, 13, 22 (p . 16) Gigantopithecus, 5, 7, 19 shellfish, 4, 6, 12 prehistoric (adj.) of or relating to the time before writing was Homo erectus, 19 , giant ground, 21 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) invented, about 6,000 years ago (p . 4) horse, 17 rex, 13 Level Y Leveled Book Correlation Written by Alfred J. Smuskiewicz © Learning A–Z LEVEL Y (n.) a group of organisms (such as plants or ice age, 20, 21 whale, 10, 13, 22 Written by Alfred J. Smuskiewicz Fountas & Pinnell T animals) that have most things in common Indricotherium, 5, 7, 18 woolly , 20 All rights reserved. and can make new organisms of the same Reading Recovery 40 kind (p . 4) www.readinga-z.com www.readinga-z.com DRA 40

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 23 24 Photo Credits: Front cover, pages 9, 13, 16, 17: © DEA PICTURE LIBRARY/age fotostock; Glossary tentacles (n.) long, flexible armlike growths on an animal back cover: © Dean Mitchell/Alamy; title page: © Dirk Wiersma/SPL/Photo that the animal uses to feel things, to hold Researchers, Inc.; page 3: © John Reader/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; page 6: amphibians (n.) animals that live part of their lives in water things, or to move (p . 6) © DK Images; page 8: Jon Hughes/Bedrock Studios © Dorling Kindersley; and part on land (p . 4) Prehistoric Giants page 11: © Sheila Terry/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; page 12 (left): © Richard trilobites (n.) common prehistoric sea animals that were Ellis/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; pages 12 (right), 15, 22 (left): © Hemera arthropod (n.) any animal whose body has a hard covering covered with a soft shell (p . 6) Technologies/Jupiterimages Corporation; page 14: © Chris Butler/SPL/Photo and jointed legs, including insects, crabs, Researchers, Inc.; page 18: © Roger Harris/SPL/Photo Researchers, Inc.; (Other Than Dinosaurs) page 19: © Jupiterimages Corporation; page 20: Mick Loates © Dorling lobsters, spiders, and centipedes (p . 9) Kindersley; page 21: © Photo Researchers, Inc.; page 22 (right): Index © iStockphoto.com/Yael Miller DNA a chemical in cells that has instructions for the (deoxyribonucleic formation and growth of new cells and new amphibian, 4, 10, 11 insect, 4, 8, 9 Front cover: Gastornis attacks prey. acid) (n.) organisms (p . 4) Arthropleura, 5, 7, 9 invertebrate, 6 Back cover: Emu feet look as if they might belong to a prehistoric animal like Gastornis. eras (n.) large divisions of time in Earth’s history: arthropod, 9 King Kong, 4, 19 Title page: fossils of marine life from between 470 million and 360 million years ago Paleozoic, Mesozoic, and Cenozoic (p . 5) Bigfoot, 19 Koolasuchus, 5, 7, 11 Table of Contents: Georges Cuvier (portrait, top left) defined the ways scientists extinct (adj.) no longer living (p . 10) bird, 4, 8, 15–18 Leedsichthys, 5, 7, 10 decide how an extinct animal, such as Megatherium (top), might look. Geologist William Buckland (foreground, left) found a tiny mammal’s jaw bone (under habitat (n.) the kind of place where a plant or animal Cameroceras, 5, 6, 8 Liopleurodon, 5, 7, 13 magnifying glass) with a dinosaur’s toe bone, which led him and Cuvier to decide lives in nature (p . 11) centipede, 4, 8, 9 mammal, 2, 4, 18, 21 that mammals had lived in more ancient times than anyone had ever known. herbivores (n.) animals that eat only plants (p . 18) Cymbospondylus, 5, 7, 12, 13 Mammuthus, 5, 7, 20 ice age (n.) a period in Earth’s history when ice sheets dinosaur, 2, 4, 12, 13, 15, 16 Meganeura, 5, 7–9 covered large areas of land (p . 20) dolphin, 13 Megatherium, 2, 5, 7, 21 invertebrates (n.) animals that do not have backbones (p . 6) DNA, 4 Ornithocheirus, 5, 7, 15 marine (adj.) of or relating to the sea (the ocean) (p . 12) dragonfly, 8 paleontologist, 4 paleontologists scientists who study fossils to learn about Elasmosaurus, 5, 7, 14 period, 5, 7 (n.) animals and plants that lived long ago (p . 4) elephant, 20, 22 Phorusrhacos, 5, 7, 17 periods (n.) divisions of time—such as Permian, Jurassic, era, 5, 6, 10, 18 reptile, 4, 12–15, 18 and Tertiary—that make up larger eras of fish, 10–12, 14, 15 rhinoceros, 18, 22 time in Earth’s history (p . 5) fossil, 2, 4–6, 21 salamander, 11 predators (n.) animals that hunt and eat other animals Gastornis, 2, 7, 16, 17 shark, 13, 22 (p . 16) Gigantopithecus, 5, 7, 19 shellfish, 4, 6, 12

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) prehistoric (adj.) of or relating to the time before writing was Homo erectus, 19 sloth, giant ground, 21 Level Y Leveled Book Correlation invented, about 6,000 years ago (p . 4) horse, 17 Tyrannosaurus rex, 13 Written by Alfred J. Smuskiewicz © Learning A–Z LEVEL Y Written by Alfred J. Smuskiewicz species (n.) a group of organisms (such as plants or ice age, 20, 21 whale, 10, 13, 22 Fountas & Pinnell T animals) that have most things in common Indricotherium, 5, 7, 18 , 20 All rights reserved. Reading Recovery 40 and can make new organisms of the same www.readinga-z.com www.readinga-z.com DRA 40 kind (p . 4)

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 23 24 Megatherium—Giant A World Without Giants? What Giants Lived Long Ago? Don’t take off your winter coat yet . Another Isn’t it amazing to think that giants such as Imagine traveling in a time machine to walk huge mammal that lives during the last ice age the ones in this book once walked on Earth and through a forest millions of years ago . As you stroll is Megatherium (meg-ah-THEER-ee-um), a giant swam in the ocean? It’s too bad we can’t see these along, you suddenly hear a loud snorting behind ground sloth . It lives about 2 million to 8,000 years huge creatures today . you . When you turn, you see a huge animal, bigger ago and is almost 20 feet (6 m) long . than a house! You may think at first that this giant However, you don’t have to get in a time is a dinosaur—but it might not be . Megatherium is related to the much smaller tree machine to see very large animals . Blue whales, that live in today . The one great white sharks, giant squids, grizzly bears, Many prehistoric animals other than dinosaurs you’re watching is standing on its hind legs, using , giraffes, ostriches, condors, and were giants . There were other giant reptiles as well its tail for balance, which shouldn’t surprise you . anacondas are some of the large animals that share as giant species of shellfish, insects, centipedes, Fossil footprints found in your time showed that the planet with us today . Unfortunately, many fish, amphibians, , and mammals . There was it could stand and even walk upright . of these animals are threatened with extinction even a giant ape, almost like King Kong! because their populations are so small . It’s And speaking of your time, you should Scientists called paleontologists learn about important to protect these animals, mainly by probably be getting back . . . prehistoric animals from shells, footprints, and preserving their habitats . That way, we can be sure fossils (remains or traces of animals, such as bones) . that we’ll never live in a world without giants . Table of Contents Paleontologists can use a fossil to learn when and What Giants Lived Long Ago? ...... 4 where an animal lived, how big it was, what kind How We Compare Today Megatherium Giant Invertebrates ...... 6 had hard, bony Humans live with large land animals, however, of food it ate, and how it moved . Sometimes, 20— today’s blue whale might be the largest animal plates (like the Giant Fish and Amphibians...... 10 paleontologists can even remove DNA from animal ’s) 18— to ever live and is 80–100 feet (24–30 m) long. remains . Tests under its long 16— Giant Reptiles...... 12 fur. The plates 14— of this DNA Do You Know? helped protect it 12— Species have changed over

feet Giant Birds ...... 16 from attacks by can show how 10— and over again throughout Earth’s other animals. the prehistoric 8— Giant Mammals...... 18 history, with old species becoming 6— animal is related extinct (dying out) and new ones A World Without Giants?...... 22 4— to animals living appearing. More than 99 percent 2— Glossary ...... 23 today . of all animal species that have 0— ever lived are now extinct. human rhinoceros giraffe Index ...... 24

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 21 22 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 3 4 What Giants Lived Long Ago? Megatherium—Giant Ground Sloth A World Without Giants? Imagine traveling in a time machine to walk Don’t take off your winter coat yet . Another Isn’t it amazing to think that giants such as through a forest millions of years ago . As you stroll huge mammal that lives during the last ice age the ones in this book once walked on Earth and along, you suddenly hear a loud snorting behind is Megatherium (meg-ah-THEER-ee-um), a giant swam in the ocean? It’s too bad we can’t see these you . When you turn, you see a huge animal, bigger ground sloth . It lives about 2 million to 8,000 years huge creatures today . than a house! You may think at first that this giant ago and is almost 20 feet (6 m) long . However, you don’t have to get in a time is a dinosaur—but it might not be . Megatherium is related to the much smaller tree machine to see very large animals . Blue whales, Many prehistoric animals other than dinosaurs sloths that live in South America today . The one great white sharks, giant squids, grizzly bears, were giants . There were other giant reptiles as well you’re watching is standing on its hind legs, using elephants, giraffes, ostriches, condors, and as giant species of shellfish, insects, centipedes, its tail for balance, which shouldn’t surprise you . anacondas are some of the large animals that share fish, amphibians, birds, and mammals . There was Fossil footprints found in your time showed that the planet with us today . Unfortunately, many even a giant ape, almost like King Kong! it could stand and even walk upright . of these animals are threatened with extinction because their populations are so small . It’s Scientists called paleontologists learn about And speaking of your time, you should important to protect these animals, mainly by prehistoric animals from shells, footprints, and probably be getting back . . . preserving their habitats . That way, we can be sure fossils (remains or traces of animals, such as bones) . Table of Contents that we’ll never live in a world without giants . Paleontologists can use a fossil to learn when and What Giants Lived Long Ago? ...... 4 where an animal lived, how big it was, what kind How We Compare Today Giant Invertebrates ...... 6 Megatherium of food it ate, and how it moved . Sometimes, had hard, bony Humans live with large land animals, however, 20— today’s blue whale might be the largest animal Giant Fish and Amphibians...... 10 paleontologists can even remove DNA from animal plates (like the armadillo’s) 18— to ever live and is 80–100 feet (24–30 m) long. remains . Tests Giant Reptiles...... 12 under its long 16— of this DNA Do You Know? fur. The plates 14— helped protect it Species have changed over 12—

Giant Birds ...... 16 feet can show how from attacks by and over again throughout Earth’s 10— the prehistoric other animals. Giant Mammals...... 18 history, with old species becoming 8— animal is related extinct (dying out) and new ones 6— A World Without Giants?...... 22 to animals living appearing. More than 99 percent 4— Glossary ...... 23 today . of all animal species that have 2— ever lived are now extinct. 0— Index ...... 24 human rhinoceros African elephant giraffe

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 3 4 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 21 22 Gigantopithecus—The Real King Kong Prehistoric Fossils Found Giant Invertebrates

King Kong was a big ape in a movie, but c Set your time machine for the Paleozoic (pay- 7 Gigantopithecus (jeye-GANT-o-PIHTH-uh-kuhs) is 59 lee-ah-ZO-ik) era to see some giant invertebrates 23 a real giant ape that lives from about 8 million to 13 4 68c b (animals without backbones) . Some fly through 8 07 0 7 100,000 years ago . Some males stand 10 feet (3 m) cd a e the air, and others swim in the oceans, so don’t tall on their hind legs and weigh more than 1,000 9 forget to bring your swimsuit! pounds (454 kilograms) . You can tell which ones 9 e 4 a Cameroceras—Scariest Shellfish are females . They are half this size . d 9 It is 470 million to 440 million years ago, Gigantopithecus is a gentle giant . It eats bamboo, An African elephant (left) stands with the woolly mammoth and three of their closely related ancestors. How are they different from each other? and all animals live in the ocean . What are you fruit, seeds, and other plant food in tropical 1 Cameroceras: N. America 9 Ornithocheirus: S. America, waiting for? Dive in to see Cameroceras (cam- Europe, Africa, Australia rainforests in Asia . Mammuthus—Woolly Mammoth and Its Relatives 2 Meganeura: Europe er-ah-SAIR-us), a giant squidlike shellfish . Its 3 Arthropleura: N. America, 0 Gastornis: N. America, Europe While you’re here, you might even spot an Time to move forward again to between Europe a Phorusrhacos: N. and head and eight tentacles stick out of a cone-shaped 4 million and 10,000 years ago, during the last 4 Leedsichthys: , S. America shell, which might grow as long as 36 feet (11 m) . early type of human called Homo erectus, who is 5 Koolasuchus: Europe b Indricotherium: Mongolia ice age, to catch a glimpse of a woolly mammoth, c Mammuthus: N. America, living at the same time and in the same places 6 Liopleurodon: Europe Cameroceras swims by forcing water out of its a species of Mammuthus (MAM-oo-thuss) . Keep 7 Elasmosaurus: N. America, Europe, as Gigantopithecus . Russia, Japan d Megatherium: N. and shell through a tube . The force of the water makes your eyes peeled for a creature that looks like S. America These humans Do You Know? 8 Cymbospondylus: N. America, the animal move in the opposite direction . This is Could Gigantopithecus still a huge hairy elephant, with long curved tusks . Europe e Gigantopithecus: , may end up using Southeast Asia similar to a balloon releasing air and flying across be alive? Hundreds of people There it is, using its tusks to clear paths through so much bamboo have claimed to see a huge, the room . for food and to hairy apelike creature in the snow, probably searching for plant food . The Scientists divide Earth’s history into several make tools that not northwestern United States and woolly mammoth stands almost 12 feet (3 .6 m) different periods of time . These periods are Cameroceras hunts trilobites (TRY-luh-bites) in Canada. Because of the enough will be left tall, but another Mammuthus species can grow grouped into different eras . The chart on page 7 and other sea animals . It grabs these animals with 16-inch (41-cm) footprints that as tall as 14 feet (4 .3 m) . shows in what periods and eras the animals its tentacles and uses its sharp beak to tear them for Gigantopithecus have been seen in these areas, in this book lived . As you read this book, pay to pieces . to eat . This is one this creature is called Bigfoot. In Early humans hunt and paint Asia, many people have seen a special attention to parts that discuss causes and possible reason pictures of them, which can still be seen on cave similar creature, which is called effects of various events, such as why a species why Gigantopithecus Yeti. Most scientists doubt these walls in modern Europe . Mammoths will become Do You Know? disappeared during a certain period . will become extinct . creatures really exist. extinct at the end of the ice age, when the weather People used to think the fossil shells of small relatives of Cameroceras were the horns of unicorns. becomes too warm for them . Enjoy your prehistoric journey with giants!

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 19 20 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 5 6 Gigantopithecus—The Real King Kong Prehistoric Fossils Found Giant Invertebrates c Set your time machine for the Paleozoic (pay- King Kong was a big ape in a movie, but 7 Gigantopithecus (jeye-GANT-o-PIHTH-uh-kuhs) is 59 lee-ah-ZO-ik) era to see some giant invertebrates 23 13 4 68c b (animals without backbones) . Some fly through a real giant ape that lives from about 8 million to 8 07 0 7 cd a e the air, and others swim in the oceans, so don’t 100,000 years ago . Some males stand 10 feet (3 m)

9 forget to bring your swimsuit! tall on their hind legs and weigh more than 1,000 9 e pounds (454 kilograms) . You can tell which ones 4 a Cameroceras—Scariest Shellfish d 9 are females . They are half this size . It is 470 million to 440 million years ago, Gigantopithecus is a gentle giant . It eats bamboo, An African elephant (left) stands with the woolly mammoth and three of and all animals live in the ocean . What are you their closely related ancestors. How are they different from each other? 1 Cameroceras: N. America 9 Ornithocheirus: S. America, waiting for? Dive in to see Cameroceras (cam- fruit, seeds, and other plant food in tropical Europe, Africa, Australia 2 Meganeura: Europe er-ah-SAIR-us), a giant squidlike shellfish . Its rainforests in Asia . Mammuthus—Woolly Mammoth and Its Relatives 3 Arthropleura: N. America, 0 Gastornis: N. America, Europe Europe a Phorusrhacos: N. and head and eight tentacles stick out of a cone-shaped While you’re here, you might even spot an Time to move forward again to between 4 Leedsichthys: France, Chile S. America shell, which might grow as long as 36 feet (11 m) . 4 million and 10,000 years ago, during the last 5 Koolasuchus: Europe b Indricotherium: Mongolia early type of human called Homo erectus, who is c Mammuthus: N. America, ice age, to catch a glimpse of a woolly mammoth, 6 Liopleurodon: Europe Cameroceras swims by forcing water out of its living at the same time and in the same places 7 Elasmosaurus: N. America, Europe, Siberia a species of Mammuthus (MAM-oo-thuss) . Keep Russia, Japan d Megatherium: N. and shell through a tube . The force of the water makes as Gigantopithecus . S. America your eyes peeled for a creature that looks like 8 Cymbospondylus: N. America, the animal move in the opposite direction . This is These humans Do You Know? Europe e Gigantopithecus: China, Could Gigantopithecus still a huge hairy elephant, with long curved tusks . Southeast Asia similar to a balloon releasing air and flying across may end up using be alive? Hundreds of people There it is, using its tusks to clear paths through the room . so much bamboo have claimed to see a huge, Scientists divide Earth’s history into several for food and to hairy apelike creature in the snow, probably searching for plant food . The different periods of time . These periods are Cameroceras hunts trilobites (TRY-luh-bites) make tools that not northwestern United States and woolly mammoth stands almost 12 feet (3 .6 m) in Canada. Because of the grouped into different eras . The chart on page 7 and other sea animals . It grabs these animals with enough will be left tall, but another Mammuthus species can grow 16-inch (41-cm) footprints that shows in what periods and eras the animals its tentacles and uses its sharp beak to tear them as tall as 14 feet (4 .3 m) . for Gigantopithecus have been seen in these areas, in this book lived . As you read this book, pay to pieces . to eat . This is one this creature is called Bigfoot. In Early humans hunt mammoths and paint special attention to parts that discuss causes and Asia, many people have seen a possible reason pictures of them, which can still be seen on cave effects of various events, such as why a species similar creature, which is called Do You Know? why Gigantopithecus Yeti. Most scientists doubt these walls in modern Europe . Mammoths will become disappeared during a certain period . People used to think the fossil shells of small relatives will become extinct . creatures really exist. extinct at the end of the ice age, when the weather of Cameroceras were the horns of unicorns. Enjoy your prehistoric journey with giants! becomes too warm for them .

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 5 6 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 19 20 Giant Mammals How Meganeura Eras and Periods in Earth’s History Compares with Giant After the extinction of the giant reptiles, giant Insects of Today Era Period When Period Animals in Period mammals began to rule the world . Many scientists Began (years ago) believe terror birds went extinct later in the Cenozoic era because mammals were better Time 4.5 billion * hunters—they ate all the food! But the giant Paleozoic 543 million mammals you are about to meet are herbivores, goliath 490 million Cameroceras, page 6 atlas moth meaning they eat only plants, so don’t be afraid beetle 443 million to get close . 417 million desert centipede Indricotherium—Dino-Sized Rhino 354 million Arthropleura, page 9 Climb a tree to get a good look at Indricotherium Meganeura, page 8 Phorusrhacos had a short, sharp claw on each wing, though (IN-drik-oh-THEER-ee-um), a relative of today’s Permian 290 million scientists do not know how it was used. rhinoceros . This giant mammal uses its long neck, Meganeura—Dangerous Dragonfly Mesozoic 248 million Cymbospondylus, page 12 like a giraffe, to eat leaves and branches at the tops If you travel more than 100 million years after Jurassic 206 million Leedsichthys, page 10 Phorusrhacos—Speedy and Deadly of trees . Cameroceras roamed the seas, you will probably Liopleurodon, page 13 Phorusrhacos (FOR-uss-RAH-kuss) is a terror end up in a swampy forest, about 311 million to Living from 30 million to 25 million years 144 million Ornithocheirus, page 15 bird that stands up to 10 feet (3 m) tall . It hunts 282 million years ago . And you might want to ago, Indricotherium is at least 15 feet (4 .5 m) tall— Koolasuchus, page 11 small animals in plains and woodlands from 27 duck, because a giant dragonfly is swooping bigger than a one-story house—and it weighs Elasmosaurus, page 14 million to 2 .5 million years ago, possibly catching down through the tropical air . Meganeura (MAY- 16 tons (15 metric such prey as young saber-toothed cats and small guh-nur-uh) is bigger than most birds you know . tons) . The big body Cenozoic Tertiary 65 million Gastornis, page 16 horses . It has a wingspan of 2 .5 feet (76 cm), making it the of Indricotherium Indricotherium, page 18 largest insect ever known . Phorusrhacos can move much faster than allows it to store a Phorusrhacos, page 17 Gastornis because it doesn’t weigh as much as that great amount of fat and Gigantopithecus, page 19 You’ve probably noticed that the air is heavier earlier terror bird . Phorusrhacos may be able to run water . This helps the big Quaternary 2 million Mammuthus, page 20 than you’re used to . That’s because there’s more Megatherium, page 21 after its prey at 43 miles (69 km) per hour, faster animal survive long hot Today oxygen in it . This heavy air helps support the than a car usually travels down a city street . and dry seasons . One of the earliest and weight of the giant flyer, and the extra oxygen largest land mammals * The first known animal appeared about 600 million years ago. allows Meganeura to grow to a giant size .

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 17 18 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 7 8 How Meganeura Giant Mammals Eras and Periods in Earth’s History Compares with Giant Insects of Today After the extinction of the giant reptiles, giant Era Period When Period Animals in Period mammals began to rule the world . Many scientists Began (years ago) believe terror birds went extinct later in the Precambrian Time 4.5 billion * Cenozoic era because mammals were better hunters—they ate all the food! But the giant Paleozoic Cambrian 543 million goliath mammals you are about to meet are herbivores, Ordovician 490 million Cameroceras, page 6 atlas moth beetle meaning they eat only plants, so don’t be afraid Silurian 443 million to get close . Devonian 417 million desert centipede Carboniferous 354 million Arthropleura, page 9 Indricotherium—Dino-Sized Rhino Meganeura, page 8 Climb a tree to get a good look at Indricotherium Permian 290 million Phorusrhacos had a short, sharp claw on each wing, though (IN-drik-oh-THEER-ee-um), a relative of today’s Meganeura—Dangerous Dragonfly scientists do not know how it was used. rhinoceros . This giant mammal uses its long neck, Mesozoic Triassic 248 million Cymbospondylus, page 12 If you travel more than 100 million years after like a giraffe, to eat leaves and branches at the tops Jurassic 206 million Leedsichthys, page 10 Cameroceras roamed the seas, you will probably Phorusrhacos—Speedy and Deadly of trees . Liopleurodon, page 13 end up in a swampy forest, about 311 million to Phorusrhacos (FOR-uss-RAH-kuss) is a terror Cretaceous 144 million Ornithocheirus, page 15 Living from 30 million to 25 million years 282 million years ago . And you might want to bird that stands up to 10 feet (3 m) tall . It hunts Koolasuchus, page 11 ago, Indricotherium is at least 15 feet (4 .5 m) tall— duck, because a giant dragonfly is swooping small animals in plains and woodlands from 27 Elasmosaurus, page 14 bigger than a one-story house—and it weighs down through the tropical air . Meganeura (MAY- million to 2 .5 million years ago, possibly catching 16 tons (15 metric guh-nur-uh) is bigger than most birds you know . such prey as young saber-toothed cats and small Cenozoic Tertiary 65 million Gastornis, page 16 tons) . The big body It has a wingspan of 2 .5 feet (76 cm), making it the horses . Indricotherium, page 18 of Indricotherium largest insect ever known . Phorusrhacos, page 17 Phorusrhacos can move much faster than allows it to store a Gigantopithecus, page 19 You’ve probably noticed that the air is heavier Gastornis because it doesn’t weigh as much as that great amount of fat and Quaternary 2 million Mammuthus, page 20 than you’re used to . That’s because there’s more earlier terror bird . Phorusrhacos may be able to run water . This helps the big Megatherium, page 21 Today oxygen in it . This heavy air helps support the after its prey at 43 miles (69 km) per hour, faster animal survive long hot weight of the giant flyer, and the extra oxygen than a car usually travels down a city street . and dry seasons . One of the earliest and * The first known animal appeared about 600 million years ago. allows Meganeura to grow to a giant size . largest land mammals

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 7 8 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 17 18 How Big Was It? Giant Birds Arthropleura—Biggest Bug Giant Fish and Amphibians You won’t need binoculars to spot the enormous Now that Meganeura has flown by, crawling The next giants you will visit on your journey creatures called terror birds . Like today’s ostriches, toward you along the forest floor is Arthropleura through time are a fish and an amphibian who live 11.5 feet they are flightless, but unlike plant-eating ostriches, (AHR-throw-PLOOR-ah), the largest land during different periods of the Mesozoic (MEZ-uh- most (and maybe all) terror birds are predators . arthropod ever . But it isn’t a six-legged insect . ZO-ik) era . You might want to bring your snorkel It is more like a 60-legged centipede, and it can as you head out to sea . 6 feet Gastornis—A Ton of Terror grow longer than 8 feet (2 5. m) . It lives in swampy Leedsichthys—Largest Fish 20 feet 20 feet In the forests and swamps of 56 million to 41 forests between 340 million and 280 million years million years ago, you will findGastornis (gas-TOR- Leedsichthys (leeds-ICK-thees) is no “big fish human Ornithocheirus ago . Like Meganeura, Arthropleura grows so large that got away” story . It is real . The largest fish that niss), a bird about 7 feet (2 .1 m) tall . It is possibly because the air is heavy with oxygen . one of the top predators in and ever lived, it can grow almost 90 feet (27 .5 m) long Ornithocheirus—Flying Reptile Europe since dinosaurs are extinct in its time . in the seas of 165 million to 155 million years ago . From out of the sky, a creature the size of a Math Minute Leedsichthys gulps in huge mouthfuls of water small airplane swoops down, dips its long beak Modern scientists are not sure what this terror How many legs did bird eats, but you can see its sharp, powerful beak, Arthropleura have? as it swims . At the back of the fish’s mouth are below the water’s surface, and swallows a fish more than 40,000 long, thin teeth . These teeth whole before flying off again . A giant bird? No . which can easily rip the flesh and crush the bones Gastornis act like a screen to keep in shrimp, jellyfish, and You just witnessed Ornithocheirus (or-NITH-oh- of small animals—if it can catch them . may weigh more than 1 ton (0 .9 metric ton) . other small animals when Leedsichthys blows the KY-rus), a flying reptile that lives near sea coasts water back out . Many whales eat this way back and lakes from 140 million to 70 million years in your time . ago . It may be the largest of the pterosaurs (TAIR- ah-sorz), which is a group of flying reptiles that You know Leedsichthys Do You Know? live at the same time as the dinosaurs . will eventually become In May 2005, extinct because the animal fishermen in Thailand Ornithocheirus has a wingspan up to 40 feet doesn’t exist in your time . caught a Mekong River (12 .1 m) and a body about 11 .5 feet (3 .5 m) long . giant catfish almost The reason is possibly 9 feet (2.7 m) long. Although it is gigantic, it probably weighs only because seas become lower Before scientists could about as much as you do . That’s because its bones and smaller . Smaller seas study this giant fish, are hollow, helping it to fly easily . Colonies of Gastornis might have eaten animals with its will mean less food for the however, the fishermen strong beak, but scientists don’t know for sure. The body of Arthropleura was made up of 30 hard plates. Under and their friends ate it! these giant flyers build nests on cliff tops . each plate was a pair of legs. giant fish to eat .

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 15 16 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 9 10 Arthropleura—Biggest Bug Giant Fish and Amphibians How Big Was It? Giant Birds Now that Meganeura has flown by, crawling The next giants you will visit on your journey You won’t need binoculars to spot the enormous toward you along the forest floor is Arthropleura through time are a fish and an amphibian who live creatures called terror birds . Like today’s ostriches, 11.5 feet (AHR-throw-PLOOR-ah), the largest land during different periods of the Mesozoic (MEZ-uh- they are flightless, but unlike plant-eating ostriches, arthropod ever . But it isn’t a six-legged insect . ZO-ik) era . You might want to bring your snorkel most (and maybe all) terror birds are predators . It is more like a 60-legged centipede, and it can as you head out to sea . 6 feet Gastornis—A Ton of Terror grow longer than 8 feet (2 5. m) . It lives in swampy Leedsichthys—Largest Fish forests between 340 million and 280 million years 20 feet 20 feet In the forests and swamps of 56 million to 41 Leedsichthys (leeds-ICK-thees) is no “big fish million years ago, you will findGastornis (gas-TOR- ago . Like Meganeura, Arthropleura grows so large human Ornithocheirus that got away” story . It is real . The largest fish that because the air is heavy with oxygen . niss), a bird about 7 feet (2 .1 m) tall . It is possibly ever lived, it can grow almost 90 feet (27 .5 m) long one of the top predators in North America and Ornithocheirus—Flying Reptile in the seas of 165 million to 155 million years ago . Europe since dinosaurs are extinct in its time . From out of the sky, a creature the size of a Math Minute Leedsichthys gulps in huge mouthfuls of water How many legs did small airplane swoops down, dips its long beak Modern scientists are not sure what this terror Arthropleura have? as it swims . At the back of the fish’s mouth are bird eats, but you can see its sharp, powerful beak, more than 40,000 long, thin teeth . These teeth below the water’s surface, and swallows a fish whole before flying off again . A giant bird? No . which can easily rip the flesh and crush the bones act like a screen to keep in shrimp, jellyfish, and Gastornis You just witnessed Ornithocheirus (or-NITH-oh- of small animals—if it can catch them . other small animals when Leedsichthys blows the may weigh more than 1 ton (0 .9 metric ton) . water back out . Many whales eat this way back KY-rus), a flying reptile that lives near sea coasts in your time . and lakes from 140 million to 70 million years ago . It may be the largest of the pterosaurs (TAIR- You know Leedsichthys Do You Know? ah-sorz), which is a group of flying reptiles that will eventually become In May 2005, live at the same time as the dinosaurs . extinct because the animal fishermen in Thailand doesn’t exist in your time . caught a Mekong River Ornithocheirus has a wingspan up to 40 feet giant catfish almost (12 .1 m) and a body about 11 .5 feet (3 .5 m) long . The reason is possibly 9 feet (2.7 m) long. because seas become lower Before scientists could Although it is gigantic, it probably weighs only and smaller . Smaller seas study this giant fish, about as much as you do . That’s because its bones will mean less food for the however, the fishermen are hollow, helping it to fly easily . Colonies of Gastornis might have eaten animals with its The body of Arthropleura was made up of 30 hard plates. Under and their friends ate it! strong beak, but scientists don’t know for sure. each plate was a pair of legs. giant fish to eat . these giant flyers build nests on cliff tops .

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 9 10 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 15 16 Elasmosaurus—Long-Necked Hunter Koolasuchus—Slimy Giant Giant Reptiles Do You Know? If you go swimming between 85 million and Hit the fast-forward button in your time During the Mesozoic, while dinosaurs walk Plesiosaurs lived in the open 65 million years ago, you might not even notice machine, skipping ahead between 40 million and the Earth, other giant reptiles swim in the ocean . ocean, but they breathed air, just as dolphins and other whales do. Elasmosaurus (eh-LAZ-mo-SAWR-us), even though 60 million years further into the Mesozoic era . They are just as gigantic as some dinosaurs . And it grows as long as 49 feet (15 m) . Most of that See that slimy giant salamander with the really just as deadly . length is in its neck and tail . This plesiosaur’s long wide, flat head? That’s Koolasuchus (KOOL-ah- Cymbospondylus—Fishlike Reptile neck has 76 backbones in it . (The neck of a person SOOK-us), an enormous amphibian, about 17 feet has only eight backbones .) (5 m) long, that lives in swampy forests 137 Cymbospondylus (sim-bow-SPOND-ee-lus) million to 112 million years ago . Its big head belongs to a group of fishlikemarine reptiles called Elasmosaurus can keep the bulk of its body far holds more than 100 long teeth, which it uses ichthyosaurs (IK-thee-uh-sorz) . It lives 240 million away from the fish it hunts . Its long neck allows it to capture fish, crabs, turtles, and other prey . to 210 million years ago, when it is one of the to sneak up under a school of fish without the fish largest animals in the sea, at 33 feet (10 m) long . knowing there is a giant under them! Koolasuchus has eyes on top of its head . This allows it to bury itself in muddy water while Cymbospondylus has a huge head with a long, Liopleurodon—T. rex of the Seas keeping watch for prey . Crocodiles hunt in the pointed snout . Its jaw contains many rows of small teeth used for catching and holding fish and other Travel forward from the time of Cymbospondylus same way . animals that it hunts in deep waters . but stay in the ocean—if you dare . The reptile Koolasuchus and other giant amphibians will Liopleurodon (LIE-oh-PLOOR-oh-don) swims disappear . A change in climate will cause them to in these salty waters, with a mouth about three become extinct . The change in climate will cause times larger than that of the famous dinosaur their swampy habitat to become less common . Tyrannosaurus rex (tie-RAN-uh-SAW-russ rex) . Liopleurodon can use its large, powerful jaws to Animals of the Mesozoic era kill any animal in the seas . Like a shark in your time, it can smell prey from a long distance away .

Part of a group of reptiles called plesiosaurs (PLEEZ-ee-uh-sorz), short-necked Liopleurodon lives 160 million to 155 million years ago . It can Elasmosaurus swam with its long neck straight out. The reptile also Cymbospondylus had a huge head with a long, pointed snout. grow up to 49 feet (15 m) long . had four diamond-shaped flippers. It hunted mostly small- and medium-sized fish and shellfish.

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 13 14 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 11 12 Koolasuchus—Slimy Giant Giant Reptiles Elasmosaurus—Long-Necked Hunter Hit the fast-forward button in your time During the Mesozoic, while dinosaurs walk Do You Know? If you go swimming between 85 million and Plesiosaurs lived in the open machine, skipping ahead between 40 million and the Earth, other giant reptiles swim in the ocean . 65 million years ago, you might not even notice ocean, but they breathed air, just 60 million years further into the Mesozoic era . They are just as gigantic as some dinosaurs . And as dolphins and other whales do. Elasmosaurus (eh-LAZ-mo-SAWR-us), even though See that slimy giant salamander with the really just as deadly . it grows as long as 49 feet (15 m) . Most of that wide, flat head? That’s Koolasuchus (KOOL-ah- length is in its neck and tail . This plesiosaur’s long Cymbospondylus—Fishlike Reptile SOOK-us), an enormous amphibian, about 17 feet neck has 76 backbones in it . (The neck of a person (5 m) long, that lives in swampy forests 137 Cymbospondylus (sim-bow-SPOND-ee-lus) has only eight backbones .) million to 112 million years ago . Its big head belongs to a group of fishlikemarine reptiles called Elasmosaurus can keep the bulk of its body far holds more than 100 long teeth, which it uses ichthyosaurs (IK-thee-uh-sorz) . It lives 240 million away from the fish it hunts . Its long neck allows it to capture fish, crabs, turtles, and other prey . to 210 million years ago, when it is one of the largest animals in the sea, at 33 feet (10 m) long . to sneak up under a school of fish without the fish Koolasuchus has eyes on top of its head . This knowing there is a giant under them! allows it to bury itself in muddy water while Cymbospondylus has a huge head with a long, keeping watch for prey . Crocodiles hunt in the pointed snout . Its jaw contains many rows of small Liopleurodon—T. rex of the Seas teeth used for catching and holding fish and other same way . Travel forward from the time of Cymbospondylus animals that it hunts in deep waters . Koolasuchus and other giant amphibians will but stay in the ocean—if you dare . The reptile disappear . A change in climate will cause them to Liopleurodon (LIE-oh-PLOOR-oh-don) swims become extinct . The change in climate will cause in these salty waters, with a mouth about three their swampy habitat to become less common . times larger than that of the famous dinosaur Tyrannosaurus rex (tie-RAN-uh-SAW-russ rex) . Animals of the Mesozoic era Liopleurodon can use its large, powerful jaws to kill any animal in the seas . Like a shark in your time, it can smell prey from a long distance away .

Part of a group of reptiles called plesiosaurs (PLEEZ-ee-uh-sorz), short-necked Liopleurodon lives 160 million to 155 million years ago . It can Cymbospondylus had a huge head with a long, pointed snout. Elasmosaurus swam with its long neck straight out. The reptile also It hunted mostly small- and medium-sized fish and shellfish. grow up to 49 feet (15 m) long . had four diamond-shaped flippers.

Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 11 12 Prehistoric Giants (Other Than Dinosaurs) • Level Y 13 14

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