Neogene

The Neogene Period lasted from 23.03 to 2.58 million years ago, a time when Earth’s geography and ecosystems closely approached their modern states. Geologically, land bridges formed, notably connecting North and South America, which triggered a massive exchange of animal species between continents. The climate experienced a gradual cooling and drying trend, causing tropical forests to recede. In their place, vast grasslands and savannas expanded across the globe. This environmental shift drove the evolution of long-legged grazing mammals, swift predators, and diverse songbirds. Crucially, the expanding grasslands in Africa favored upright movement, driving the evolution of early hominids - the direct ancestors of humans. Marine life also modernized, with whales and sharks, including the massive Megalodon, ruling the oceans. The period ended as the global climate plunged into the cyclical ice ages of the Quaternary.