CANADA: Scientists have stumbled upon a species of ancient mammal that outlived the episode resulting in the extermination of the dinosaurs. The remnants of this massive, rodent-like creature sent forth clues about how mammals that “took over” when dinosaurs died out.
Debris from the impact from the space rock went flying into the air, deploying clouds so thick they clogged out the sun. Earthquakes shook the ground and sent massive tsunami waves towards the shorelines. During that time — maybe unrelated to the impact – an immense flow of lava was submerging India, exuding ash and noxious gases that instigated the climate to swing like a yo-yo and may have lend a hand in killing all those that survived the initial cataclysm.
It was not at all a perfect time to be alive, and many species took a swift exit from the global stage: Vegetation withered. Ocean life panted for air and energy, but collapsed. All were gone including the fearsome Tyrannosaurus, the winged Pterosaurs, the gigantic Triceratops with its three horns and bony neck frill. The 100 million years of dominance by the dinosaurs withered within moments. And when the smoke disappeared, a new hero was born to take over.
