Around 4.5 billion years ago, the early sun system constisted of a cloud of gas and dust, a so-called solar nebula. The early planets formed from the materials of this cloud, gradually growing in size. Earth did not have its moon yet - but soon a mars-sized planet named Theia would hit earth and subsequently form the moon.   

Living 550 million years ago, Cloudina was one of the first animals with a shell, which consisted of calcareous cones. Nearby, several Namalacathus live on the rocks with their long stalks.

Two Anomalocaris, maybe the worlds first top predator, hunt for Pikaia in the Cambrian waters.

In a Cambrian reef community, an Opabinia tries to catch some Marella, while Hallucigenia explores the sponge maze.

An enormous Endoceras roaming the shallow waters finds its next meal: A nest of Megalograptus larvae in the hollow remains of another perished Endoceras, with their mother having no option but to flee. 

In a Silurian underwater forest of the prehistoric sea lily Scyphocrinites, some Entelognathus make way for an approaching Megamastax. 

In a shallow river arm, a pair of Acanthostega release eggs into the murky water, where they will develop protected by the maze of plant debris. In the background, some Groenlandaspis swim around. 

In the misty swamps of the Late Carboniferous, the massive millipede Arthropleura is in search of the most delicious plants, while some small Hylonomus use the chance to hunt for insects disturbed by the giant's presence.

After weeks without rain, a river arm has dried up and most of its inhabitants, like a unfortunate freshwater shark Xenacanthus, have died. A Dimetrodon discovers a pair of aestivating Diplocaulus in the riverbed, digs them out and devours them. 

Lystrosaurus was one of the few animals to survive the biggest catastrophe in the history of life, the Late Permian extinction event. Two individuals trudge through the volcanic ash in a devastated landscape, only to discover that life will, eventually, recover.

Three Tanystropheus relax on the rocky shore and watch an approaching rainstorm.  

A Batrachotomus moves through the river holding on to its latest kill, but suddenly it disturbs a giant Mastodonsaurus lurking in the water. 

A Dilophosaurus roams through its territory in a lush forest and watches the pterosaur Rhamphinion catch dragonflies above a slow-flowing stream. 

A young Compsognathus explores the beach and finds a washed up ammonite Subplanites. 

On a late afternoon during an exceptionally severe drought, a few herbivores, the small and agile ornithopod Dysalotosaurus as well as two sauropods Dicraeosaurus, are gathering around a shrinking waterhole. They are disturbed by an enormous new-comer: The giant sauropod Giraffatitan. 

A pair of Ceratosaurus watch several Mesadactylus dart around and catch the termite swarmers that appeared in masses during the end of the day. 

A Fujianvenator darts through shallow water in the search for prey.

A group of Pelecanimimus grab their chicks and flee through shallow water as a Concavenator attacks their nesting ground at the lake shore. 

A swimming Pterodaustro is spooked by a frog that latched onto its snout underwater. 

A Borealopelta withstands the forces of a flood and becomes a safe haven for smaller critter.

An Acrocanthosaurus feasts on the carcass of a recently killed juvenile Astrodon. 

A Thalassodromeus is ready to join the other pterosaurs that became active during the sunrise. 

In the depth of night, a full-grown Carnotaurus devours its unfortunate prey. 

On a search to find suitable nesting material, a Gigantoraptor bends over a resting Sonidosaurus to pluck some twigs.  

Two Hesperornis try to evade a pursuing Tylosaurus by hiding under a giant turtle Archelon. 

A Diabloceratops strolls through a nightly swamp with the carcass of an over-ambitious juvenile Lythronax stuck on its horns.

A protective mother of three Atrociraptor chicks tries to ward off an interested Albertosaurus.

In the chaos of a stampede, two Saurornitholestes use the chance to hunt down a single Stegoceras who lost the safety of its herd.

A Tyrannosaurus attempts to attack a well-armed Triceratops on a rainy afternoon.  

A large Pelagornis causes some commotion when flying near the cliffs during the Late Miocene. Some Fulmarus start fake attacks and a few Acrophoca bark at it, while a group of Spheniscus mostly ignore it. 

Strolling through the steppe, a woolly rhinoceros encounters two marmots.   

A male and female cave lion enjoy each other's presence during a sunny winter's day.  

During a foraging trip, a group of early Malagasy encounter a rare Archaeoindris for the first time ever and curiously approach it, testing if it is peaceful.   

A European bison bull charges at a Roman legionary that provoked it by coming too close.