Miocene

24 - 5 million years ago

Animate the Continental Drift

New Species:

  • new forms of mammals and birds
Climate
Warmer
global
climate
Geology
Land connections
form
Flora
Kelp forests,
grasslands & expanding deserts
Fauna
New forms of mammals and birds
Hominids
None

The Miocene was a time of warmer global climates than those in the preceeding or following epochs. By the middle of the Miocene, the Bering land connection between Siberia and Alaska had formed, allowing major migrations of different species. By the end of the period, the Panama isthmus had begun to form between Central and South America.

Two major ecosystems first appear at this time: kelp forests and grasslands. With the kelp forests appear sea otters and other animals that live in that environment. Expanding deserts, tundra and grasslands led to the development of new forms of mammals and birds.

By the end of the Miocene, 95% of modern seed families existed.