The Only Time In History That Water Was Safer Than Land | Nature Forgotten

Nature's peculiar method of intensifying dread is best seen in Earth's older waters and landscapes. Over 259 million years ago, terrestrial carnivores ruled the Late Permian epoch, but the waters provided a unique haven for life. Let's explore this fascinating time when Earth was different and danger was around. A Unique World Pangaea, a massive supercontinent, spanned Africa, the Americas, Asia, and other places during the Late Permian. The vast Panthalassa Ocean, which was twice as large as the Pacific Ocean today, surrounds here. The Moon's closer orbit shortened Earth's days to 22 hours. Climate was harsh, with average highs of 35°C (95°F). The middle Pangaean mountains provided arid conditions that further limited life, and deserts filled the equatorial areas. The dearth of livable land was worsened by these difficult environmental conditions, which concentrated life in select locations, such as present-day South Africa and Russia. Gorgonopsids rule On land, a group of strong saber-toothed predators known as the *gorgonopsids* evolved as a result of the extinction of earlier dominant species. These therapsids were a unique lineage more closely connected to mammals than reptiles, and they were named after the Gorgons of Greek mythology. **Inostrancevia**, the largest of them, was a deadly apex predator. This beast was over 11 feet (3.5 meters) long, weighed over 1,000 pounds (453 kilograms), and had razor-sharp, serrated fangs in addition to speed and power. Its hunting methods, similar to those of contemporaneous saber-toothed cats, possibly involved hitting the neck or producing extensive wounds that would make victims unconscious due to blood loss. Another robust gorgonopsid subgroup, the **rubidgeids**, which comprised species like Rubidgea atrox, was found in South Africa. Strong heads and finely serrated teeth that were designed to tear into flesh were hallmarks of these carnivores. As apex predators in their respective settings, they dominated a range of ecosystems. Additional Deadly Predators Gorgonopsids were fearsome animals, although they were not alone in their dominance: Theriodonts: This diversified group contained predators the size of jaguars, such as Moschops, which subdued victims with their keen teeth and powerful forelimbs. It was even suggested that some species were poisonous. Crocodile-like Proterosuchids: These water and land-dwelling reptiles were semi-aquatic hunters with teeth like needles. Primitive Amphibians: Large animals such as the 13-foot (4-meter) Rhinesuchus lurked in freshwater habitats, ambushing any invaders. In a hostile world, herbivores A vast diversity of herbivores coexisted with these predators. While the enormously armored *Scutosaurus**, weighing over a ton, depended on its bone plates and spikes to fend off attackers, the pig-sized **Lystrosaurus* dug burrows for sanctuary. Even with their adaptations, life in this predator-dominated environment was never simple. The Great Death The **Permian-Triassic Extinction Event**, also referred to as "The Great Dying," signaled the end of the Late Permian period. This extinction, which was driven by enormous volcanic eruptions in Siberia, killed 70% of terrestrial species and probably 90% of marine species. An apocalyptic scenario brought about by toxic gasses, climate change, and a significant fall in oxygen levels irrevocably destroyed life on Earth. A Survival Legacy One of the most exciting and scary epochs in Earth's history is still the Late Permian. This age serves as a reminder of nature's persistence and the never-ending fight for existence, from the supremacy of gorgonopsids to the severe climate that shaped life. The underlying dread was the unpredictable nature of Earth's evolution, which continues to influence the world we live in today, even if the oceans were comparatively safer than the land.