Permian Period

Detailed Overview

The Permian period saw the diversification of early reptiles and the appearance of the first mammal-like reptiles (synapsids). This period featured the formation of the supercontinent Pangaea and extensive desert conditions in the interior. The period ended with the largest mass extinction in Earth's history, the "Great Dying," which eliminated about 95% of marine species and 70% of terrestrial vertebrate species.