Earth has changed over millions of years, and fostered all kinds of life along the way. Some prehistoric animals were out of this world by standards today. Here are some of the most interesting prehistoric beasts and what happened to them.
Smilodon
Smilodon may be one of the most recognizable prehistoric animals. The large saber-toothed cats ruled their environment during the Pleistocene era, competing with and even hunting early humans. They became extinct due to a rapid shift in the climate, which eliminated much of their prey.
Gigantopithecus
Gigantopithecus was an enormous prehistoric ape that resembled an orangutan. They could easily weigh over a thousand pounds and snack on bamboo and other vegetation. They went extinct due to habitat loss and climate change.
Paraceratherium
Paraceratherium was one of the largest land mammals to ever live at up to twenty tons. Much like modern rhinos, their closest relative, they were herbivores that ate vegetation in their habitat. The animal wasn’t preyed on by predators because of its enormous size, but ultimately went extinct to changes in their environment.
Jaekelopterus
Jaekelopterus was a giant water scorpion that ruled its habitat. They could reach intimidating lengths of eight feet and feed on local fish and other early aquatic animals. The Devonian period saw dramatic changes, and the jaekelopterus went extinct due to a possible change in water level or oxygen available.
Megalania
Megalania was a giant lizard that even competed with dinosaurs with its enormous size, measuring around 23 feet long. They lived in what is now modern Australia and fed on prehistoric marsupials. Australia became much drier, which meant that the habitat shrunk significantly and could have caused the extinction of the megalania.
Gorgonopsids
Gorgonopsids lived in the Permian era and were predatory saber-toothed mammals that hunted smaller, prehistoric mammals. There was a mass extinction event at the end of the Permian era, most likely caused by volcanic activity and climate change.
Meganeura
Meganeura was a giant insect that resembled a modern-day dragonfly. They has a wingspan of 28 inches and were carnivorous, likely feeding on other insects and even small fish. They went extinct as oxygen levels dropped, not being able to sustain such big insects anymore.
Arthropleura
The Carboniferous period saw many animals grow to incredible sizes. Arthropleura was no exception, measuring at over six feet long. They were herbivorous millipedes that likely went extinct due to the change in soil and vegetation that they fed on.
Brygmophyseter
Brygmophyseter was a predatory whale from the Miocene epoch. The prehistoric sperm whale measured over 16 feet long and preyed on fish and other marine life. Its extinction isn’t well known, but competition and prey scarcity could have played a role.
Castoroides
Castoroides were a prehistoric beaver species that lived in the Pleistocene. The mammal could reach up to eight feet tall and feed on plants in waterways. As the Earth got hotter, aquatic habitats changed drastically, leaving the casteroides behind.
Mastodon
The mastodon was an early elephant that lived in the Pleistocene era in North America. They could measure over six feet at the shoulder and feed on vegetation, much like modern elephants. The end of the ice age saw the decline of many populations, and the mastodon may have gone extinct due to competition and human activity.
Sarcosuchus
The Cretaceous period saw the rise of many terrifying lizards, and the Sarcosuchus was a prime example. The prehistoric crocodile could be almost 40 feet long, preying on smaller dinosaurs and anything that also called its aquatic habitat home. The ancient crocodile likely went extinct with the dinosaurs due to an asteroid impact and volcanic eruptions.
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