Imagine you could travel back in time.
To a time, long before Man.
Back across, 65 million years.
As you travel, you'll see huge changes in the vegetation and the climate. Even the surface of the Earth itself would move. As mountain ranges are pushed up by colliding Continents.
65 Million Years Ago
Now you've reach a remarkable period in Earth's history, known as the Cretaceous. It is a very different world, the Himalayas do not yet exist, and the Atlantic is only half as wide. There is no grass, only conifer forests and fern prairies.
This is a world.
Ruled by Dinosaurs.
Giant reptiles, like Tyrannosaurus a 7 ton predator, stalk the landscape.
Now they'll be Walking With Dinosaurs, they'll be shown how these magnificent creatures live. How they eat, fight, and reproduce.
And they will witness, how the Forces of Nature conspire to drive these animals...
To Extinction.
But this story will also take them back much further.
152 Million Years Ago
Back to the Jurassic Period.
A time when life on Earth, was at it's most spectacular.
The creatures there, bathe in a warm tropical climate. There are no ice caps at the poles. Flowers and broad leaf trees are yet to evolve, in the air, and on the land, the world is dominated by reptiles. And by far the most common...
Are the Dinosaurs.
But they are not the only giants.
Huge Pterosaurs rule the skies, and below them, massive marine reptiles harvest the rich oceans.
However...
First this story, will go back even further, to discover where dinosaurs came from.
This is our own Earth, during the Triassic Period.
220 Million Years Ago
As well as their's.
Here there are no separate continents, just one giant land mass, called Pangaea.
It is a harsh place dominated by deserts.
The Triassic has already seen many different variety of ancient reptiles come and go. But now, out of this dry wilderness has appeared something revolutionary. A family of reptiles, destined to shaped the course of Life on Earth, for the next 165 million years.
These, are the first dinosaurs.
And this, is where their story begins.
Arizona
220,000,000 BC
First light, across the western hills of Earth's only continent. Pangaea.
This world, has been ruled by one group of giant reptiles. For over 50 million years, but these ancient creatures have had their day.
All over these lush fern prairies are grimed Evolutionary battle has broken out, among the newer types of reptile. New of this strange world. On these Triassic proofing grounds, dinosaurs are still comparative rare. But they are beginning to the first signs of their future success.
And a early dinosaur was seen.
Soon Twilight and her friends have now arrive at their destination in History.
Okay, how many deserts are we gonna end up at? Rainbow asked.
Well, at less it's more lush here. Said Twilight.
Wish we knew where we are. Said Spike.
Well, guess we might be here for a while. Starlight said.
Uh, how long a while exactly? Rarity asked.
I don't know.
I guess we could go exploring. Fluttershy suggested.
And with that they begin to wonder in the Triassic landscape.
It is the end of the wet season, and the local river is full. But it will not remain this lush, and ahead lies 9 months with no rain.
After wandering for a while, they came across a small creek.
I don't know about you guys. Pinkie said. But i'm feeling thirsty.
Me too. Applejack agreeing with her.
I guess we could gather up some water. Twilight suggested.
As the 8 begin to fill up their water bottles, a reptile then appeared on the other bank. It's 10 feet long, a little taller than they are, short arms with 3 fingers and walks on 2 legs.
This is a dinosaur.
Whoa, what is that? Spike seeing it.
I think it's some kind of reptile. Starlight said.
Sure is odd looking. Said Rainbow.
One type of reptile has evolved to thrive in drought. Dinosaurs like this Coelophysis, can survive on very little water. She is also light bone, fast, and she is beautifully adapted...
For killing.
Twilight and the others watch as the Coelophysis leans towards the water watching very carefully. And has her sights on a lungfish, and slowly moves closer. And once she was close enough, the predator strikes her jaws in the water snatching the lungfish and brought it out.
Whoa, that is fast. Said Rainbow.
Your telling me. Said Spike.
That was unexpected. Twilight said.
And the dinosaur begins to feed on the lungfish.
Dinosaurs first appeared around 10 million years before, as small predators. But what makes them unique, is special hips and ankles that allow them to stand perfectly balance on 2 legs. With lightning fast reactions, they are built to survive.
Suddenly the Coelophysis was spoke and runs off, after a loud bellow was heard.
What is that? Spike looking around.
I think it came from other there. Rainbow said.
And they began to look where the sound came from.
After searching for a while, they saw a large group of large reptiles, with short tusks.
A growing chorus of calls, singles the arrival of a huge herd of Placerias. They are making their way down form the fern scrub land for their morning drink.
And Twilight and her friends watch as the Placerias begins to drink from the river.
These impressive 1 ton beasts are not related to dinosaurs. And are much more ancient type of reptile, one there were many different varieties powerful creatures, across the landscape. But now the Placerias are the only ones of their kind that remain. They are an endangered species.
Despite their fearsome appearance, they are actually gentle herbivores. Their tusks are used for digging up roots, but on 2 angry males, these tusks can make lethal weapons.
A short time later, they follow the herd and saw another Coelophysis watching them.
For the swift Coelophysis, Placerias are prey.
This young female targets the old and weak in the slow moving herd.
Soon a Placerias confronts the dinosaur, but soon drives her off.
One day, the descendants of dinosaurs like Coelophysis, will take over this world. But it is their speed and agility, that gives them the edge in the Mid Triassic.
After watching the herd for a while, they went downriver to see what else they could find. And right on the river bank, is a reptile feeding on a lungfish.
Further down river, is one of the Triassic's most bizarre animals.
The Cynodont.
Is a missing link between reptiles and mammals.
The Cynodont climbs up a small ledge and begins to leave.
As he runs, his backbone moves from side to side like a reptile's. But he has hair, and lives down and burrow like a mammal.
They followed the creature all the way to his burrow.
I think that's his home. Fluttershy thought.
Yeah, but I don't he'll like some company inside. Said Spike.
I think I have an idea, that might just work. Twilight said. That way we see, but he won't be bothered be us.
They got up to the burrow, and got 8 feet behind the entrance. And Twilight magically appeared a small camera with wheels, and made a screen appeared.
That way we can see what's going on. She said.
She made the camera slowly rolled in the burrow, and after going about 6 feet. They saw the Cynodont, which actually has a family.
Inside was a female sleeping, and she woke when he appeared.
Deep inside, his mate sleep's on a bed of lichen. The bond between Cynodonts is incredibly strong. They pair for life.
Without disturbing them, the Pony gang watches as the pair nuzzled each other.
What they didn't know is that this is where strong family bonds appeared in mammals. Including us and them.
Like all land reptiles, they lay eggs. But after hatching, the young are depended on their parents.
As Twilight carefully moves the camera, they saw something amazing. 3 Cynodont pups, nursing on their mother's milk.
And spend their first 3 months, feeding from special milk glands on the mother's stomach. This form of reproduction has evolved, to protect their young from the daylight predators outside.
Then the father Cynodont pulls and pushes a layer of lichen and brought it outside.
By day, even the father sticks close to the safety of the burrow. And carries out domiestic chores. He only hunts, at night.
Soon the father Cynodont brought the last of the lichen outside and lies down near the entrance.
In the not too distant future, small furry mammals will evolve. From reptiles like these.
Call me crazy, but I think that might a early type of mammal. Twilight said softly without disturbing them.
Please, us coming from reptiles? Rainbow said. That's crazy talk.
I don't know. Starlight said. But I think somehow were actually in the past.
Wait a minute, just before we were got sucked into that portal to begin with. Spike remembering. That book had something written.
What did it say? Pinkie asked.
It said something about, discovering a lost world. that's been lost by time itself.
Wait, lost world, time. Twilight piecing them together.
I think were actually in the past.
What? Rarity said.
But, that's impossible. Said Rainbow. Time travel hasn't even been made yet. Besides Starlight. It's not even controlled yet.
Think about it, when we started this trip. Twilight explained. We first only saw animals in the sea, but not a single one on land.
Now that you mention it, that's actually true. Applejack said. I didn't even see one insect on land at that time.
And look at those reptiles, I think these are at the point were they become mammals.
Okay, so many stops have we had so far on this journey? Starlight.
I counted 12. Pinkie answered.
Okay, we had 12 and maybe many more ahead. Spike said.
But the question is, how many more? Rarity.
I'm not sure. Twilight admitted. But I know we'll be home soon.
Sometime later.
In the heat of the dry season. The Placerias herds speards out over the scrubland to feed.
Twilight and the others have decided to leave the Cynodonts are a while, and watch the Placerias.
Suddenly the warm breezes changes, and their is the scent of fear in the air.
Suddenly the Placerias grew nervous and sense that something's wrong.
What's gotta in to them? Rainbow asked.
I think something spooked them. Said Fluttershy.
Then the Placerias begin to turn and flee. Then suddenly a large crocodile like reptile rears up and bites a Placerias on the right back leg. And after a few seconds it let go.
What is that thing? Rainbow asked in horrid.
We better get out of here and find out later. Spike said leaving.
And soon the gang leaves along with the Placerias. And the predator is not far behind.
Postosuchus. A merciless ambush predator. The largest carnivore on Earth of this time.
And the Postosuchus rears up and roars.
The terrified Placerias flee, but they are slow. And one of them now carries a mortal wound. Their chaser is a distant cousin of the dinosaurs, evolve from the same reptilian ancestor. But unlike them, she is too front heavy to run on 2 legs. Yet the Postosuchus is easily fast enough to keep pace with the herd.
Soon the injured Placerias was left behind.
Eventually, a combination of shock and blood loss, defeats the wounded Placerias.
And soon the animals drops to his side. As the Postosuchus approaches him.
The carnivore's bite has done it's job. The Placerias is now too weak to fight. And the Postosuchus, has a easy meal.
And the Postosuchus begins to feed.
As the weeks of the dry season past, only the vegetation around the river remains lush.
Twilight and the others were at the river, and then they saw something flew past them. But it wasn't a bird.
And this attracts exotic hunters from far and wide. Like this Peteinosaurus.
And they watched as the pterosaur drinks.
Whoa, never thought there were other flying reptiles. Said Spike.
Yeah. Rainbow agreeing with him.
She is a flying reptile, who has evolved extra long fingers to support her wing membranes.
The river's resident flying predators are dragonflies. Insects like these evolve long before the first reptiles, and over 100 million ago some took to the air, and became aerial killers.
But in the Triassic Era, these hunters have become the hunted.
And the Peteinosaurus takes off flying, and chase after some dragonflies. And soon caught one.
A jaw full of needle sharp teeth, make short work of the insect.
Peteinosaurus have evolved strong light weight bones for flight. And like the dinosaurs, they are fast, and deadly.
Reptiles are becoming the new masters of the air.
Meanwhile a herd of Placerias are at the river as well.
In temperatures of over 104. F, the Placerias needs lots of water. And these ancient reptiles have to spend more time at the river. But the herd is nervous. They this is a good place for a ambush.
Meanwhile the Postosuchus has appeared.
The Postosuchus is not hunting. She has recently eaten her fill, and also needs to come down to the river to drink.
20 feet long, heavily built with an armored back, she needs a huge amount of food. And there for has to defend a very large territory.
The Postosuchus looks around to be sure she's alone. And then begins to drink.
The only creature on the planet she fears, is another Postosuchus.
It is now the middle of the dry season. And months since any rain. Across the scrub lands, smaller rivers are drying out.
In one. a Peteinosaurus risks a cooling bath. He constantly checks for danger.
Meanwhile, all is quiet with the Cynodonts as they rest in their home.
The Cynodonts lie secure and cool through the hottest part of the day.
But no animal here is truly safe.
Meanwhile, near the entrance outside a Coelophysis is near them.
The female Coelophysis has pick up the scent of their bedding. Soon she's exploring the entrance.
And she is not alone.
As she slips her head and neck through the burrow, a 2nd Coelophysis arrives. It wasn't long before the Cynodonts notice there's trouble, and started barking. But they ignore the barking.
Clearly these dinosaurs have not met Cynodonts before.
Then suddenly the father Cynodont bursts out of the entrance almost like he was saying BOO! Or in a sense of POP GOES THE WEASEL And it was enough to drive the 2 dinosaurs away.
And soon he crawls back inside.
Meanwhile Twilight and her friends were watching a herd of feeding Placerias.
Nearby, the Placerias search for moist roots beneath the drying ferns.
Sure is hot today. Spike said resting under the shade of a tree.
you're telling me. Rainbow said.
Meanwhile the Postosuchus is not far away. And appears to be limping from her left hind leg.
The Postosuchus once again needs food. But her last attack has left her with a tusk wound on thigh. A handicap for such a heavily built creature.
And soon, the herd notice her and starts bellowing to deter her away.
The Placerias herd spots her before she can set an ambush. And they mount a aggressive defense.
She'll get no food here. And in such a competitive world, her wound might yet prove fatal.
And soon, the Postosuchus limps away, and without food her wound will get infected.
Meanwhile at the Cynodont burrow.
Evening. And in the burrow, the Cynodonts prepare for a night of hunting.
The young for more develop now. And starting to move about the nest. But they are still vulnerable, and it will be another 2 months before they can do without their parents protection.
The adult male checks the coast is clear.
And soon, he heads out for his hunt.
Meanwhile at the burrow.
A youngster follows him to the end of the burrow.
But that turns out to be a death sentence.
Coelophysis have slithered it's head through the burrow, and soon snatches the pup. And leaves.
Soon the father came back after hearing the pup squealing for help.
Too late, the male responds to his squealing pup.
Soon the angry father Cynodont confronts the dinosaurs and barks at it. And soon drives the predator away. Once gone, he quickly makes his way back to the burrow.
Once again, he drives the dinosaurs away. But this time, they don't go far.
And soon the Coelophysis returns.
Nearby, a thirsty male Postosuchus has invaded the wounded female's territory.
As the male drinks, the female then appears. And not far behind her was Twilight and the others who were keeping an eye on her condition.
This can't be good. Rainbow seeing the Postosuchus male.
But this Triassic landscape, cannot support 2 giant predators in one dry valley.
Soon the female confronts the male, and he turns towards her. Both confront each other with roaring, but the female is too weak to fight, and leaves.
The female is too weak to fight.
After dominating her territory for a decade. She is driven from her home.
And soon Twilight and her friends felt sorry for the large reptile. And soon they leave.
Meanwhile things are getting worse for the Cynodonts. As 2 Coelophysis are at the burrow and one is trying to dig them out.
Meanwhile, the Coelophysis are starting to dig the Cynodonts out.
Their situation is becoming desperate. As the dinosaurs will soon expose the nest.
As the sun sets. The pair have only one choice.
It means shattering their unique parental bond. They eat their own young.
This denies the dinosaurs their food. And gives the Cynodonts the chance of escape.
Under the moonlight, they seize the moment and abandon the hole.
And as Twilight and her friends slept, Twilight woke up and saw them leaving.
The next morning there are now 3 Coelophysis. But unaware that their gone.
In the morning, the Coelophysis are back. And they still smell the Cynodonts. And it will take them sometime, to realize their work is in vein.
Later that day.
The dry season continues. After her wasted time at the Cynodont hole. The female Coelophysis has found something in the riverbed.
As she continues to dig, she manages to dig it out.
It is a lungfish. And the dinosaur's unique serrated teeth, will make short work of it's protective cocoon.
But she is not left alone to eat it for long.
As the dinosaur begins to feed. A gang of Coelophysis arrived.
Coelophysis numbers are on the increase. And this leads to competition.
The dinosaurs fight each other, and soon the female was driven away.
The pressure of numbers also brings other changes in behavior.
Later that afternoon.
under the baking sun, a flock of Coelophysis has united for a kill.
Twilight and the others saw this.
What's going on? Rarity confused of their numbers.
We better go see. Spike suggested.
And soon they saw the reason for their union.
The wounded female Postosuchus has lost the use of her back legs. However, her might jaws could still tear a dinosaur apart.
But the Coelophysis keep their distance, and wait.
And soon the female's life fades away.
The great carnivore's strength fails.
All the Postosuchus heavy armor and muscle are no more than food, for the agile little dinosaurs. Their long snouts and nibbling front teeth can reach under her thick scales.
They eat her, from the inside out.
And soon other Coelophysis join in on the frenzy.
And Twilight and her friends begin to leave.
The rains are late. And now the real test for survival begins.
As vast areas turn into red deserts. The placerias are driven to migrate in search of water.
But in this extreme drought, dinosaurs have a huge advantage over other reptiles. When they increase, they waste very little water.
Soon Twilight and her friends saw a group of Coelophysis at a small river.
Nowhere is this advantage more obvious, then down by the shrunken river.
Wow, this is almost like a party. Pinkie said.
Yeah, it's like reptile fest. Spike said.
Coelophysis are gathering in huge numbers. And in years of hardship like this, it is the dinosaurs that win through.
There is little room for the other reptiles here. And without other prey, the dinosaurs swiftly turn on each other.
And a Coelophysis was seen feeding on a baby.
Cannibalism is common.
The Triassic, is pushing life to it's limits.
At night as the group sleeps, Twilight decided to got on some nighttime exploring.
Night reveals dinosaurs are not the only animals, that have managed to cling on.
The Cynodonts survived their brush with death. And dug another burrow hidden in some dried ferns.
And soon Twilight saw the male Cynodont on his night hunt.
Once again, the male is hunting the darkness.
Then suddenly a small squeal was heard.
He has caught the only common prey. A baby Coelophysis.
And soon Twilight watches as the male Cynodont enters back into his burrow.
And she soon returns to her friends, and went to sleep.
Then thunder was heard.
After 9 months of drought.
At last, the rains have arrived.
Soon the thirsty scrub lands are lush.
Life is back to normal.
meanwhile inside the Cynodont burrow.
inside her burrow, the female Cynodont has laid a fresh clutch of eggs. One day, in the distant future, this adaption of raising their young will pay off of their Mammalian descendants. But as mammals evolve over the next 155 million years, they will only survive as a few small species, clinging on at the edge of a world, dominated by dinosaurs.
Outside, that future is already arriving.
Twilight and the others are at the river ending their huge thirst.
I'm never leaving you again. Spike said drinking like mad.
Meanwhile a familiar face was also at the river.
The female Coelophysis has survive the drought. Along with many of her kind.
But they have also been joined by another type of dinosaur.
As Twilight and her friends continued to drink, they heard bellows and look and saw a huge dinosaur.
A huge herd of Plateosaurus has been drawn to the swollen river. It is hard to believe that these 4 legged beasts are related to Coelophysis. But these are plant eating dinosaurs.
The lead Plateosaurus rears up and stomps, driving the coelophysis out of his way.
Their size is the key to their success. And at 4 tons, they are simply too big to be threaten.
Soon the rest of his herd joins him as they past Twilight and the others.
This the shape of things to come.
The Age of The Dinosaurs...
Has Dawned.
Twilight and her friends continued to watch the Plateosaurus, before being sucked into the portal to their next destination in History.
20 million years later, a massive Extinction wipe out thousands of species of reptile.
But the dinosaurs went from strength to strength.
Carnivore grew to enormous sizes.
But their prey got even bigger.
And soon...
They'll meet the Giants of the Jurassic.
Next Time.
They'll travel 65 million years, and dive in the 2nd deadliest sea of all time.
And meet the largest Jurassic Sea Monster.