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Around 66 Million years ago, at the end of the Maastrichtian stage of the Late Cretaceous period, an astroid struck what is now the Yucatan Peninsula of Mexico. The subsequent impact and its effects caused the KT mass extinction event. The event wiped out 75% of all life on Earth. This included all the non-avian dinosaurs and most genera of marine reptiles. The end of the event also heralded the beginning of the Cenozoic era with the Paleocene period (66.0-56.0 Million years ago), and the dawn of the age of the mammals (one of the survivors from the Cretaceous Paleocene extinction event). But what most people don't realize is that in large areas of the planet, mammals didn't immediately takeover over the top ecological niches the Non-Avian Dinosaurs left vacant. That is because many surviving reptile groups filled those voids first (albeit briefly). In many parts of the globe, The Paleocene was still the age of the reptiles. https://news.agu.org/press-release/scientists-reconstruct-ancient-impact-that-dwarfs-dinosaur-extinction-blast/ A Geologic Time Scale 2004. (2004). Nigeria: Cambridge University Press. https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC6842625 This was partly due to the fact that the climate of the Paleocene and Eocene was generally hotter than today, which favored Ectothermic reptiles. As a result, these reptiles quickly grew to large body sizes and many filled the voids left vacant by the extinction of the endothermic non-avian theropod dinosaurs. Here is a list of these reptiles which hopefully demonstrates the diversity of these incredible creatures during the Paleocene. Let me know if I forgot any examples. North America - Thoracosaurus neocesariensis (Gavialoidea) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene (70.6-56.0 Million Years ago)) (Note: Thoracosaurus species could grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) in length) Kosmodraco dakotensis (Choristodera) (Paleocene (60.2-56.8 Million Years ago) (Note: Kosmodraco dakotensis could grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) in length) Kosmodraco magnicornis (Choristodera) (Paleocene (56.8-55 Million Years ago)) Champsosaurus gigas (Choristodera) (Paleocene) (Note: Champsosaurus gigas could grow up to 3 meters (9 feet) in length) Borealosuchus acutidentatus (Crocodylomorpha) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene (66.0-63.3 Million Years ago)) Axestemys splendida (Soft-shell turtle-Trionychidae) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene) (Note: Axestemys species could grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length) Axestemys montinsana (Soft-shell turtle-Trionychidae) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene) (Note: Axestemys species could grow up to 2 meters (6 feet) in length) Adocus onerosus (turtle-Dermatemyidae) (Paleocene) (Note: Adocus species could grow up to 80 cm. (2 feet) In length) Europe - Thoracosaurus isorhynchus (Gavialoidea) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene (70.6-56.0 Million Years ago)) (Note: Thoracosaurus species could grow up to 5 meters (16 feet) in length) South America - Cerrejonisuchus improcerus (Dyrosaurid) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) Acherontisuchus guajiraensis (Dyrosaurid) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) Titanoboa cerrejonensis (Boa snake-Boidae) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) (Note: Titanoboa cerrejonensis could grow up to 12.8 meters (42 feet) in length) Carbonemys cofrinii (turtle-Podocnemididae) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) Cerrejonemys wayuunaiki (turtle-Podocnemididae) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) (Note: Cerrejonemys wayuunaiki could have grown to 1 meter (3 feet) in length)) Puentemys mushaisaensis (turtle-Bothremydidae) (Mid-Late Paleocene (60-58 Million Years ago)) (Note: Puentemys mushaisaensis could have grown to 1.51 meters (5 feet) in length)) Africa - Arambourgisuchus khouribgaensis (Dyrosaurid) (Late Paleocene (59-55 Million Years ago)) Chenanisuchus lateroculi (Dyrosaurid) (Late Cretaceous-Paleocene) (Note: Chenanisuchus lateroculi could grow up to 4.5 meters (14 feet) in length) Amananulam sanogoi (aquatic snake-Nigerophiidae) (Paleocene) Acleistochelys maliensis (turtle-Bothremydidae) (Paleocene 61.7-55.8 Million Years ago) What do you guys think?
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- arambourgisuchus
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What Is the Largest Snake That Ever Existed? (msn.com)
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It's been nearly two years since last I posted, but I'm back with one of my latest creations, a lifesize replica of a bone from Titanoboa cerrejonensis. The smaller bone next to it is a vertebra from a(n estimated) 10-12-foot anaconda which I used for reference. Enjoy!