4 million years ago - the beginning of modern Australia
Australia's Pliocene fact file
Position
- Australia was close to its present global position.
- The continental plate carrying Australia had collided with the South East Asian plate.
Climate
- Australia's climate was warm and wet but soon began to dry again.
Vegetation
- Australia's forests were dominated by gum and wattle trees.
- A dazzling mixture of wildflowers blossomed in the new open spaces.
Animals
- Many familiar animals such as Agile Wallabies, Saltwater Crocodiles and Budgerigars made their appearance for the first time.
- Most of the older animals also remained, including deep-headed land crocodiles.
- In some animal groups, giant species evolved for example, the largest snake that ever lived a 10m long python.
- New groups of animals were arriving from South East Asia via island chains. Among these were Australia's first rats and mice.
What was happening in the rest of the world
- A land bridge between North and South America allowed many groups of animals to move back and forth between these continents.
- Ancestral humans had appeared in the Rift Valley of Kenya, Africa.
